What is AlertsMA?
AlertsMA is a communication tool built on the Everbridge platform. Massachusetts government organizations can use AlertsMA to notify staff and stakeholders about safety situations and other important events using people’s preferred communication methods. This may include:
- Emergency alerts – such as intruders, suspicious packages, and more
- Location or building specific alerts – such as closures or power outages
- Employee alerts – such as important human resource or IT related messages
- Agency/interest-specific alerts – such as key events or interest areas
- Resident/other stakeholder alerts
AlertsMA can send messages simultaneously across multiple delivery channels to reach your audience where they are such as by:
- Text message
- Phone call
- Mobile app
- Social media
- Digital signage
- And more
It also supports safety check-ins as well as community engagement keywords where people can text keywords to opt in to receive alerts about a specific topic (e.g., COVID19, a community event, etc).
The AlertsMA program is being overseen by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) Interoperable Communications Bureau. Any questions about the program can be submitted to the Program Management Office at alertsma@mass.gov.
Additional Resources
Who can send AlertsMA notifications
State and local agencies in Massachusetts can use AlertsMA to notify their staff and stakeholders. A Master Service Agreement is available which defines the terms of use as well as the cost. The Master Services Agreement defines who is allowed to use AlertsMA including the following:
- Cities, towns, districts, counties, and other political subdivisions
- Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, including all Departments and elected offices
- Independent public authorities, commissions, and quasi-public agencies
- Local public libraries, public school districts, and charter schools
- Public hospitals owned by the Commonwealth
- Public institutions of higher education
- Public purchasing cooperatives
- Any other Commonwealth entity within the scope of the initiative
The Master Service Agreement and other materials can be found on the Commonwealth's online procurement platform COMMBUYS.
Note: AlertsMA is referred to as CommAlert on COMMBUYS.
Examples of AlertsMA in action
COVID-19 Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor's Office and a joint task force used AlertsMA for essential communication with employees and constituents alike.
AlertsMA was used to send urgent and important messaging about:
- New health guidance
- Parking bans
- Calls for nurses and vaccine clinics
- Robocalls and texts for stay-at-home orders
Human Resources Division (HRD)
HRD currently uses AlertsMA to send employees up-to-date information on weather cancellations, reducing reliance on calling individuals or employees needing to check the website.
AlertsMA also enabled remote vaccine attestations as employees began coming back to their offices during the pandemic.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
MEMA uses their own notification system using the same platform for operational needs. Notifications are used for:
- Emergency messaging
- Marathon support
- Shift coverage (using two-way messaging)
How much will it cost my organization send notifications in AlertsMA?
AlertsMA is a software-as-a-service tool that has annual license costs. There are different pricing models, but the per license cost generally varies based on:
- Contact volume – the number of contacts or people you plan to alert
- Features – the different alerting features you plan to use
The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security has purchased standard licenses for all executive branch staff. Executive branch agencies can use these licenses for their own purposes and can purchase additional features if needed via a Master Service Agreement/Price List. Local government agencies can buy their own licenses using the Agreement/Price List.
See the Commonwealth's online procurement platform COMMBUYS for additional contract information, including the Price List.
Note: AlertsMA is referred to as CommAlert on COMMBUYS.
How your organizations can sign up to use AlertsMA
How you sign up will depends on your organization type:
- Executive branch agencies: Talk to your Secretariat Chief Information Officer (SCIO) and then email alertsma@mass.gov.
- Non-executive branch agencies: You will arrange your own contract with Everbridge. You can use the pre-negotiated Pricing List in the Agency Attachments section of the COMMBUYS contracts materials.
Please review the Master Agreement and pricing list then contact Ann Rose, Account Executive at Everbridge, at ann.rose@everbridge.com.