FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Kern County is pleased to announce the launch of its ReadyKern mass notification system. With this service, Kern County can send personalized voice and e-mail messages to residents and businesses within minutes with specific information about time-sensitive issues such as emergencies and local community matters.

WHAT IS READYKERN?

The service allows authorized Kern County leaders to create and rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every telephone number and e-mail address stored in the notification database.

HOW DOES READYKERN WORK?

ReadyKern enables Kern County, with one call or a few clicks of a computer mouse, to communicate with thousands of residents and businesses anywhere, anytime, via home phone, cell phone, business phone, or e-mail address.

WHAT TYPES OF MESSAGES WILL BE SENT USING READYKERN?

Any message regarding the safety or welfare of Kern County residents would be disseminated using the ReadyKern system. Examples would include the need to evacuate buildings or neighborhoods because of earthquake, fire, or flood, and any other situation that could impact the safety or welfare of Kern County residents.

HOW CAN I SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS?

Initially the system was populated with listed home telephone numbers from the phone companies. Kern County has also provided a registration page for residents and businesses who do not have listed home telephone numbers to provide their contact information. The registration page also allows individuals to provide additional contact information such as a cell phone, business phone or e-mail address. Sign up online by clicking here. Sign up through mail by downloading the registration form and mailing it to the address provided on the form. It is our intention and hope that every residence and business in Kern County be included in the notification database.

WILL THERE BE A WAY TO POSITIVELY IDENTIFY INCOMING CALLS MADE BY KERN COUNTY USING READYKERN?

Yes. The Caller ID number for calls generated by the ReadyKern service is (661) 868-1143. In addition, every message will begin with an introduction that identifies it as an urgent emergency message.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A LANDLINE? CAN READYKERN CALL MY CELL PHONE?

Yes. Residents who have registered their cell phone numbers in ReadyKern will receive notifications on their cell phone. Since there are many instances when residents may not be at home to receive an emergency message, we recommend that all residents with a cell phone add their number to ReadyKern.

MY CELL PHONE NUMBER HAS A NON-LOCAL AREA CODE. WILL I STILL RECEIVE CALLS?

Yes. The area code does not impact whether or not a call is made.

I REGISTERED SEVERAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES; WILL READYKERN CONTACT ME ON EACH ONE?

ReadyKern will continue to cycle through each and every communication device available until the message is delivered and confirmed by the recipient. To confirm a message, you must listen to the entire message and then press 1.

I REGISTERED MY CONTACT INFORMATION INTO READYKERN, BUT I NEED TO UPDATE MY INFORMATION. HOW CAN I DO THIS?

Visit the ReadyKern website. Click on the link under the heading “Update Your Contact Information.” After selecting “Manage Profile” and entering your Username and Password, select “Update my contact info” from the options on the right side of the page. Follow the prompts.

DOES READYKERN REPLACE OTHER EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS?

No. ReadyKern is a significant enhancement to existing means of mass notification and is supplemental to, not a replacement for, other communication methods used by emergency personnel. During an emergency, television and radio will continue to broadcast important announcements. If emergency personnel recommend that you evacuate, you should follow their recommendations.

WILL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION BE SHARED WITH ANY THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS?

Kern County will not share or distribute personal information to the extent permitted by law.

CAN I "OPT OUT" OF READYKERN CALLS?

Residents and businesses can opt out; however, we strongly discourage this. ReadyKern may be used to send information that is time-sensitive and critical. If you choose to opt out of the system, it will prevent Kern County from notifying you of important and potentially life-saving information. If you would still like to opt out of the system, click here.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have more questions about ReadyKern, please send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 211.