Everbridge

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up Everbridge for the first time and start receiving alerts from my local community?

Download the app, create an account with your email and phone number, then allow location access. Search for your city or county's public safety agency and tap 'Follow' to subscribe. Enable notifications in your device settings to receive alerts instantly. Path: Profile > Settings > Notification Preferences.

What kinds of alerts can I expect to receive, and can I customize which ones come through?

You'll get severe weather warnings, evacuation orders, crime advisories, missing person alerts, and community announcements. To tailor them, go to Settings > Alert Preferences and toggle categories on or off. You can also set quiet hours if you don't want non-emergency alerts at night. Path: Settings > Alert Preferences > Manage Categories.

How does Everbridge know my location, and can I manually set a different area to monitor?

Everbridge uses your device's GPS to pinpoint your current location for hyper-local alerts. You can also add additional locations like home, work, or a relative's house. Go to Settings > Location Management > Add Location, and enter an address. The app will then send relevant alerts for all saved zones. Path: Settings > Location Management.

Can I send a custom SOS alert to my organization's security team if I feel unsafe, and how does that work?

Yes, if your employer or university has enabled this feature. Open the app, tap the 'Safety' button on the home screen, and select 'Send SOS.' This triggers an immediate notification to your organization's security with your real-time GPS coordinates and any optional message you add. Path: Home > Safety > Send SOS.

Is my personal data shared with third parties when I use Everbridge, and can I control what's visible?

No, your data is never shared with third parties or other organizations. You have complete control over what you share—location, images, or videos—and you can revoke access anytime. Any data shared is encrypted and only visible to Everbridge and the specific organization you've connected with. Path: Settings > Privacy Controls.

How do I connect Everbridge to my workplace or university to receive their specific alerts and directives?

Check your email or your organization's safety portal for an invitation link from Everbridge. Click it, log in with your existing account, and you'll be automatically linked. If you missed it, go to Settings > Organizations > Add Organization and search for your employer or school's name. Path: Settings > Organizations.

Does Everbridge require a paid subscription, or is it completely free to use for personal safety alerts?

Everbridge is completely free for individuals. Public safety agencies and organizations pay for the platform, but residents and employees receive all alerts at no cost. There is no premium tier for end users, so you'll never hit a paywall for critical safety features. Path: No subscription needed—just download and use.

Are there any in-app purchases or hidden fees for advanced features like custom alerts or multiple locations?

No, all core features—custom SOS alerts, multiple saved locations, and all notification types—are included free. There are no in-app purchases or hidden fees. If your organization enables extra features like schedule viewing, those are also provided at no charge to you. Path: No billing options exist in the app settings.

Why is my battery draining faster after installing Everbridge, and can I reduce that without losing essential alerts?

Everbridge uses GPS for real-time location tracking, which increases battery usage. To reduce drain, go to Settings > Location Management and change the tracking mode from 'Continuous' to 'On App Open' or 'Low Power.' You'll still receive alerts for your saved locations, but not live tracking. Path: Settings > Location Management > Tracking Mode.

I'm not receiving any alerts even though I followed my local agency. How do I troubleshoot this issue?

First, check if your device's notification settings allow Everbridge to send alerts—go to your phone's Settings > Apps > Everbridge > Notifications and enable all. Then, in the app, go to Settings > Notification Preferences and ensure 'Emergency Alerts' is toggled on. Finally, force-close and reopen the app to re-sync. Path: Device Settings > Apps > Everbridge > Notifications.