Pittsford residents urged to re-enroll as Monroe County expands its emergency notification alerts for 2025

Monroe County, New York – In a year marked by rapid upgrades to public safety tools across New York, Pittsford residents are now being encouraged to revisit how they receive emergency information. Monroe County and New York State each operate their own alert platforms, and both systems have introduced updates or reminders that affect anyone who relies on them for timely warnings. Local officials say staying connected to these notifications is essential, especially as severe weather events and public safety incidents appear to be increasing in frequency.

The biggest change came this fall, when Monroe County announced on November 17, 2025 that it had completed a major transition in its localized alerting system. The county formally shifted its emergency notification program to a new platform known as MonroeAlert, bringing a fresh interface and expanded capabilities meant to streamline how alerts move from 9-1-1 and emergency managers to residents. The new tool replaces the older Hyper-Reach system, which many Pittsford residents had been using for years.

County officials made it clear that this change comes with a crucial requirement: anyone who previously subscribed to Hyper-Reach must manually re-register on the MonroeAlert platform. Because Hyper-Reach accounts were not automatically transferred, failing to sign up again means a subscriber will no longer receive warnings from county emergency services. With winter storms and hazardous road conditions common across Monroe County, authorities are hoping residents take a moment to ensure they remain connected.

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MonroeAlert itself offers a wide range of notification types, tailored for both everyday updates and sudden, fast-moving emergencies. The system allows alerts to be delivered as text messages, phone calls, or mobile app notifications, depending on the subscriber’s preference. Messages originate directly from Monroe County 9-1-1 and the Office of Emergency Management, providing a direct line from emergency responders to households. According to the County, MonroeAlerts may include information on law enforcement activity, local emergency situations, protective actions such as evacuation or shelter-in-place instructions, and other public safety matters. Because participants can select which categories they want to receive, residents can fine-tune the alerts that best match their needs. More details and registration information can be found at www.monroecounty.gov/MonroeAlert.

While MonroeAlert focuses on localized emergencies, a broader set of notifications is available through NY-Alert, New York State’s mass notification system. Pittsford residents are encouraged to sign up for both programs, as each covers different types of risks and offers different categories of warnings. NY-Alert delivers statewide and regional notifications that may not originate through county channels, giving users access to real-time information across multiple communication methods.

To join NY-Alert, users create an online account and then subscribe to the specific alert types they wish to receive. The system shares a wide array of critical information, ranging from severe weather warnings and hazardous material spill alerts to significant highway closures. It also distributes AMBER Alerts, missing children notifications, consumer protection advisories, public health updates, and notices related to sex offender re-location. NY-Alert supports phone, text message, email, and even fax notifications, allowing users to choose multiple contact paths for redundancy. Registration is available at https://alert.ny.gov/sign-ny-alert-0.

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Local leaders emphasize that both alert systems are designed to work together, not replace one another. MonroeAlert offers highly localized, county-level updates, while NY-Alert provides statewide and regional coverage with broader situational awareness. For Pittsford residents, enrolling in both ensures the widest possible safety net.

As winter storms approach and emergency managers prepare for another busy season, Pittsford households are encouraged to take a moment to check their subscriptions and sign up—if they haven’t already—so they remain fully informed whenever emergencies arise.