Citizen Emergency Notifications

Does it cost me anything to opt-in for Emergency Notification messages?

This service is provided to you free of charge by the Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District. However, please be aware that text message charges may apply depending on your mobile service agreement and service carrier. Contact your mobile service provider for details.

I am in a location that is different than the address that I enter into the website for my cellular phone, will I still be contacted if an emergency affects the address entered?

Yes. No matter where you are physically located, you will only receive calls for emergencies that affect the address entered into the website. So if you are on vacation in a different state you will still receive a phone call if the address you entered is affected by an emergency.

Will I be solicited in any way at the phone number that I enter?

No. You will only receive phone calls when the Target Notification system is activated and your address is within the geographic notification area chosen. The Target Notification system will only be activated for emergency purposes.

Do I have to enter an actual address?

Yes. If you enter an address that does not exist you will not be in the database and will not be contacted when the Target Notification system is activated.

Can I enter my telephone number more than once at different addresses?

No. The last address that you enter into the website will be the only location that your telephone number is associated with. Your telephone number can only be in the database once, at one location.

What do I do if I move?

If you move after you have entered your information into the website you will need to go back into the website and re-enter your information with your new address.

When will I receive phone calls?

You will receive phone calls when the Target Notification system is activated and your address is within the geographic area chosen to receive the notification message. The Target Notification system will only be activated for emergency purposes.

Will my information be sold or distributed?

No. All of the information you enter will feed directly into the Target Notification secure database. This information can only be accessed by system administrators and the data will never be sold or distributed to third parties.

What areas are covered?

The Deschutes County CENS service area includes Deschutes County, Crooked River Ranch, and Camp Sherman in the State of Oregon. 

Who should opt in?

All cellular and VoIP phone subscribers within Deschutes County's service district who wish to receive Target Notifications. Subscribers’ cellular and VoIP information will be kept in a separate database, so that if subscribers are already in the 9-1-1 landline database their information will not be changed.