Florida ends contract with alert system vendor Everbridge after accidental early morning message

ORLANDO, Fla. — The State of Florida has cut ties with the contractor, Everbridge, that handles the emergency alert system, our sister station WFTV reports.

“The Division has terminated the contract early with Everbridge. The expiration day was June 2024,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Communications Director Alecia Collins.

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“The Division stresses the importance of being able to receive emergency alerts as disasters can happen at any time and these alerts save lives. Please do maintain emergency alert notifications on your cellular device – we will ensure they are used appropriately henceforth,” the division said.

On Thursday, an untold number of people in Florida received a rude awakening early Thursday morning.

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Emergency management officials said an “Emergency Alert” test issued at 4:45 a.m. was sent out by mistake.

“The whole of the emergency management community apologizes for this error and steps will be taken to prevent it from occurring again,” officials said.

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Officials said the alert was supposed to be sent to televisions, but the contractor sent the wrong technical specifications, which pushed it out over cellphones.

“It’s our way to communicate to the public, for tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, hazardous material events, we encourage everyone to please keep that on,” Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said.

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