ShakeAlert Licensed Operators

 

Contact a Licensed Vendor of ShakeAlert-Powered Technology to Connect Your Facilities to Earthquake Early Warning

The ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System, operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), uses a dense network of seismic monitoring stations to rapidly detect significant earthquakes, estimates  the amount of shaking expected, and issues ShakeAlert Messages to Licensed Operators. These Licensed Operators have entered into a license agreement with the USGS and use this information to deliver alerts to people in the affected areas, as well as trigger automated actions that protect vital systems and infrastructure, potentially seconds before shaking arrives at their location.
This graphic shows earthquake waves moving toward a city, and explains how Shake Alert detects those waves.
 Licensed Operators are integral to the success of the ShakeAlert project. By building systems that deliver ShakeAlert-powered alerts and automate actions, Licensed Operators help save lives, minimize injuries, and reduce earthquake damage to property and infrastructure. They can play a critical role in mitigating immediate earthquake losses, subsequent indirect earthquake economic impacts, and possible ripple effects, or “secondary disasters.” These mitigation efforts can increase a community’s recovery and speedy return to normal status. 
This graphic shows the roles of technical partners in the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System.

Licensed Operators span multiple industries and sectors, and include private for-profit companies, public entities, and nonprofit organizations. Some Licensed Operators have developed alert delivery systems solely for in-house use. Others act as licensed vendors that sell ShakeAlert-powered products and services to other organizations.

Definitions

USGS-approved ShakeAlert Technical Partners who have demonstrated their ShakeAlert-powered product(s), service(s), and/or applications to end-users and met USGS performance standards (e.g., speed, reliability, technical performance, and education and training).

End-users receive ShakeAlert-powered products or services from LtO Partners. End-users include people who receive these products or services directly (e.g., to their cell phones), as well as organizations that work with an LtO Partner to implement automated “machine-to-machine” actions.

A B2B, or “business-to-business” company provides ShakeAlert-powered products and services to other businesses.

A B2C, or “business-to-consumer,” company sells directly to individual consumers.

Licensed Operators that Provide ShakeAlert-Powered Implementations

Early Warning Labs

Product Name and Type: Cloud Quake

  • On-site device
  • B2B

Current Implementation Examples:

  • Alerting methods include PA systems, speakers, VOIP, voice activated fire alarm boxes, handheld two-way radios
  • Open gates and fire station bay doors
  • Stop elevators at nearest floor
  • Throttle valves
  • Train control systems
  • Shut down or turn on industrial systems

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: earlywarninglabs.com

Contact Information: Josh Bashioum (818-588-6001, info@earlywarninglabs.com)

Global Security Systems (GSS) / AlertFM

Product Name and Type: EEWAlert

  • On-site device
  • B2B and B2C

Current Implementation Examples: Audio and visual alerts delivered via FM Radio to Alert FM voice, text, bluetooth, desk, and wall receivers (including ADA strobe lights)

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: alertfm.com

Contact: Matthew Straeb, EVP/CTO (mstraeb@gssnet.us)

Kinemetrics

Product Name and Type: OasisPlus Earthquake Response Platform

  • Alerting software
  • B2B

Current Implementation Examples:

  • Deliver audio and visual alerts using via the OasisPlus Earthquake Response Platform
  • Provide rapid safety assessments enabling informed decision-making, rapid emergency response, and building occupant safety

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: oasisplus.kmi.com

Contact: Brandon Parrott (jbp@kmi.com)

RH2 Engineering

Product Name and Type: Advanced Seismic Controller

  • On-site device
  • B2B

Current Implementation Examples:

  • Initiate alarms
  • Throttle valves
  • Turn off motorized equipment
  • De-energize electrical control panels
  • Integration with staff alerting systems including WIN911, SMS

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: rh2.com/risk-and-resilience

Contact:

Washington

  • Rick Ballard (425-951-5328)
  • Michele Campbell (425-951-5394)
Oregon
  • Taylor Stockton (503-278-5356)
  • Bob Willis (503-446-2904)

SkyAlert

Product Name and Type: SkyAlert IoT

  • On-site device
  • B2B

Current Implementation Examples:

  • Stop elevators at nearest floor and prevent manual operation
  • Open fire station bay doors
  • Stop machinery
  • Turn off gas valves
  • Alerting methods include strobe lights and audible alerts

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: skyalertusa.com

Contact: Alvaro Velasco (alvaro@skyalertusa.com)

Valcom

Product Name and Type: Valcom Earthquake Early Warning System

  • Alerting software
  • B2B

Current Implementation Examples: Audio and visual alerts using intercom, VOIP, or PA speakers (including ADA message boards) via Valcom intercom hardware

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: valcom.com/earthquake

Contact: Lauren Mason (lmason@valcom.com)

Varius, Inc.

Product Name and Type: ShakeAlarm and ShakeAlarm Lite

  • On-site device and remote device
  • B2B and B2C

Current Implementation Examples:

  • Initiate alarms
  • Throttle valves
  • Turn off motorized equipment
  • De-energize electrical control panels
  • Send alerts via PA systems, email, SMS
  • Monitor pre- and post-earthquake building condition
  • ShakeAlarm Lite is available to schools at no initial cost

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: variusinc.com/shakealert

Contact Information: Dan Ervin, P.E. (425-269-8479, dan.ervin@variusinc.com)

Licensed Operators that Deliver ShakeAlert-Powered Alerts to the Public via Wireless Devices (Cell Phones)

Google

Product Name and Type: Android Earthquake Alerts

  • Operating system alerts
  • B2C

Current Implementation Examples: No information provided by licensed operator

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Contact: Android Earthquake Alerts Team (android-usgs-external@google.com)

MyShake™

Product Name and Type: MyShake

  • Smart phone app
  • B2C

Current Implementation Examples:

  • A smartphone app that delivers audio and visual alerts to individuals, in partnership with the California Office of Emergency Services.
  • Users can view damage and shaking reports submitted by other community members along with detailed event information for quakes around the globe.

Location Availability: WA, OR, CA

Website: myshake.berkeley.edu

Contact: Richard Allen (rallen@berkeley.edu)

Licensed Operators that Use ShakeAlert-Powered Implementations for Limited or Internal Uses Only (Not for Redistribution)

Allen Institute

Product Name and Type: Desktop Alerts

Current Implementation Examples: ShakeAlert-powered alerts sent to all Institute computers, so users can take protective action accordingly.

Location Availability: For Allen Institute internal use only

Website: alleninstitute.org

Contact: Collin Farrell (colinf@alleninstitute.org)

Everbridge

Product Name and Type: Everbridge Situational Awareness Notifications

  • B2B

Current Implementation Examples: Situational awareness notification sent to staff in Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) facilities that a ShakeAlert Message has been issued by the USGS anywhere in California, Oregon, or Washington. End-users are not warned of imminent shaking or prompted to take a protective action.

Location Availability: Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in OR and CA coordinated by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Website: everbridge.com

Contact: Everbridge Team (support@everbridge.com)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Product Name and Type: JPL EEW

Current Implementation Examples: Automated alert delivery to JPL staff over a lab-wide PA system. The alert to people includes a tone with a spoken “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” message. This will also trigger the JPL fire department bay doors to automatically open.

Location Availability: For JPL internal use only

Website: jpl.nasa.gov

Contact: Margaret Ayala (Margaret.a.ayala@jpl.nasa.gov)

JPL Deep Space Network

Product Name and Type: DSN ShakeAlert Response System (DSRS)

Current Implementation Examples: The DSRS utilizes ShakeAlert system data to implement preventive tools across JPL DSN. These automated tools will engage, putting affected DSN antennas into their safe mode, and practiced actions will prepare staff to intervene or manually engage safe mode as necessary.

Location Availability: For JPL internal use only

Website: jpl.nasa.gov/missions/dsn

Contact: Jacob London (jacob.e.london@jpl.nasa.gov)

Metrolink (SCRRA)

Product Name and Type: Commuter Rail Seismic Interface

Current Implementation Examples: Metrolink (SCRRA) uses ShakeAlert data to alert Metrolink’s Positive Train Control (PTC) System that an earthquake is detected.

Location Availability: For Metrolink internal use only

Website: metrolinktrains.com

Contact: Luis Carrasquero (CarrasqueroL@scrra.net)

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

Product Name and Type: BART EEW

Current Implementation Examples: A ShakeAlert-powered BART Train-Control System Application that delivers earthquake early warning controls to BART trains.

Location Availability: For BART internal use only

Website: bart.gov

Contact: Alvin Tsui (wtsui@bart.gov)

Disclaimers

This page is not the ultimate resource. Visit the Licensed Operator’s website for more information about their product and services. The USGS does not directly or indirectly endorse any product or service provided by these Licensees. The Oregon Hazards Lab at the University of Oregon does not directly or indirectly endorse or warrant any product or service provided by these Licensees.