Building a resilient alert and warning programme: Lessons from Sonoma County, California

Abstract

This paper explores the structure, evolution, and best practices of Sonoma County’s alert and warning programme, with the aim of informing the development and enhancement of similar programmes in other jurisdictions. The paper outlines key components including staffing models, sustainable funding, interoperable resources, training strategies, and continuous system support. The findings presented in the paper reflect an operationally mature system shaped by lessons learned from major wildfire and flood incidents and provide actionable insights for business continuity and emergency management professionals seeking to strengthen public notification systems. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.