TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Jesse Alexander, Fire Chief
Rachel Johnson, Police Chief
Ashley Hopson, Emergency Preparedness Administrator
Alexandria Latragna, Communications and Civic Engagement Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of an Update Regarding Community Emergency Notifications (No Budget Impact) (City Manager Mirzakhanian).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
RECEIVE AND FILE
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive a report on the City’s community emergency alert and warning systems.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Manhattan Beach is situated in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County and is vulnerable to various natural and human-caused emergencies including earthquakes, tsunamis, hazardous material releases, and industrial incidents. Given the City’s proximity to industrial infrastructure, including the Chevron Refinery in El Segundo, effective emergency communication systems are essential to protect life and property.
On October 3, 2025, a significant incident occurred at the Chevron Refinery that required emergency notifications to be issued to Manhattan Beach residents and businesses. This incident highlighted the critical importance of robust, multi-layered emergency communication systems and prompted a comprehensive review of the City’s alert and warning capabilities.
Following the incident, City Council requested a detailed report from staff regarding the City’s emergency communications infrastructure and any improvements implemented since October 2025. This report provides said comprehensive review.
DISCUSSION:
Current Emergency Alert and Warning Systems
The City of Manhattan Beach employs a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to emergency communications. This redundancy ensures that critical information reaches residents and businesses through multiple channels, maximizing the likelihood that emergency messages will be received and acted upon. The City’s emergency notification infrastructure includes the following systems:
1. AlertSouthBay
Alert SouthBay (Everbridge) is the primary regional emergency notification system serving Manhattan Beach and neighboring South Bay communities (15 Cities total). This system allows the City to send emergency alerts via voice messages, SMS/text messages, and email messages. Alert SouthBay is managed by a joint powers authority that provides coordinated emergency communications across multiple jurisdictions. Alert SouthBay utilizes the Everbridge platform, which is used by over 60 federal agencies, 100% of the 25 busiest airports in North America, and considered the industry standard of alerting systems for local agencies.
Residents can register for notifications allowing them to customize how they receive alerts and to register multiple contact methods and addresses, including work locations. As of the writing of this report, 13,652 people are registered for Manhattan Beach specific alerts.
Within Alert SouthBay, the City maintains a comprehensive resident connection database that includes contact information for community members. This database is accessible via Alert SouthBay and enhances the City’s ability to conduct targeted outreach during emergencies to ensure that vulnerable populations and those with access and functional needs receive critical information. There is no registration required to receive these messages.
2. Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (iPAWS)
IPAWS is a federally-managed system operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that enables authorized government officials to send emergency alerts through multiple channels, including the ones identified below. These alerts may only be issued by specifically authorized users who have submitted a written request outlining the justification and need for access. The user must also hold current FEMA certificates for the required training courses and have completed all initial onboarding requirements. Users must contact the on-call Duty Officer with Alert SouthBay to gain authorization to send the alert.
• Emergency Alert System (EAS) - Delivers alerts through television and radio broadcasts
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) - Sends text-like messages directly to mobile devices within a specific geographic area. These alerts have a distinctive tone and vibration and do not require prior registration.
• NOAA Weather Radio - Provides continuous weather and hazard information through specialized radio receivers
3. Social Media Channels
The City maintains active social media accounts on multiple platforms to disseminate emergency information quickly and reach diverse audiences. During emergencies, the City’s official social media accounts serve as verified information sources. Manhattan Beach maintains presences on:
• Twitter/X
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Nextdoor (push notifications)
• GoReach (push notifications)
4. City Website
The City’s website (www.manhattanbeach.gov <http://www.manhattanbeach.gov/>) serves as a central hub for emergency information. During emergencies, prominent alerts are displayed on the homepage with links to detailed information, evacuation routes, shelter locations, and situation updates. The website also hosts the City’s comprehensive emergency preparedness resources.
5. MBTV (Manhattan Beach Television)
MBTV provides 24/7 local cable television programming for Manhattan Beach residents. During emergencies, critical messages and alerts can be broadcast directly through MBTV to reach cable subscribers. This provides an additional communication channel, particularly for residents who may not use digital or mobile communication methods.
6. GovDelivery Email Subscription System
GovDelivery is an email subscription management system that allows community members to sign up for various City communications, including emergency notifications. Subscribers can customize the types of information they receive, ensuring they stay informed about topics relevant to their interests and needs.
7. Electronic Changeable Message Signs (CMS)
The City has portable electronic changeable message signs that can be deployed throughout Manhattan Beach to warn motorists and pedestrians of hazards, road closures, evacuation routes, and other emergency information. These signs are particularly effective for reaching people traveling through the community who may not be registered for other alert systems.
8. Media Releases and Press Communications
During significant emergencies, the City issues formal media releases to local news outlets. These releases provide verified information that helps media organizations accurately report on the situation, amplifying the City’s message to broader audience and reaching residents who may receive news through traditional media channels, including our local newspapers.
9. Public Address Systems and Emergency Vehicle Sirens
Manhattan Beach Police and Fire Department vehicles are equipped with public address systems and sirens that can be used to issue warnings and instructions during widespread emergencies. This method is particularly effective for evacuation orders, hazardous materials incidents, and situations requiring immediate protective action from residents in specific areas.
Improvements Implemented Following October 2025 Chevron Refinery Incident
Following the October 2025 Chevron Refinery incident, the City conducted a comprehensive after-action review and identified several areas for notification enhancements to the City’s emergency communication capabilities:
1. Enhanced Regional Coordination and Standard Operating Procedures
City staff convened with regional partners, including the City of El Segundo, Chevron Corporation, and Alert South Bay, to review notification procedures administered by the City of El Segundo in its role as the Local Implementing Agency (LIA). Separately, the Alert South Bay Task Force reviewed and updated its standard operating procedures (SOPs), with particular focus on emergency notifications during industrial incidents. These collaborative efforts yielded several key outcomes:
• Enhanced communication protocols among Chevron, the City of El Segundo, and neighboring jurisdictions;
• Clarified notification thresholds and triggers for regional alerts; and
• An approved holding statement from the City of El Segundo for use in the event of an incident at the Chevron facility.
2. In-House Genasys System Administrators
Genasys is an emergency management and public safety communications platform that enables organizations to send targeted alerts and notifications to specific geographic areas during emergencies, critical events, or community updates. The system is particularly valuable during shelter-in-place orders or evacuation notices where only certain geographic locations are impacted, allowing for precise communication using the Alert SouthBay notification system.
The City has trained and designated in-house Genasys Administrators who manage and target messages to specific geographic zones. This allows the City to communicate potential emergencies and safety information directly to affected residents with precision and speed.
3. First Responder Emergency Communications Playbook
Staff developed a comprehensive First Responder Playbook that provides clear, standardized guidance for emergency communications during various incident types. The Playbook:
-Includes procedures for performing an evacuation by the Unified Incident Commanders
-Identifies the types of emergency notifications
-Identifies community relocation centers
-Identifies Red Cross evacuation shelters
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
As part of ongoing public outreach efforts, the City hosted a town hall to engage residents and provide information on emergency preparedness and regional notification systems. The City also launched the Know Your Zone campaign to help residents identify their emergency zone and understand the appropriate response actions for their area. Additionally, the City will distribute a mailer to area residents, funded by Chevron, encouraging them to sign up for Alert South Bay notifications to ensure they receive timely alerts in the event of an industrial incident.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Alerts and Warnings Guide
2. PowerPoint Presentation