County of San Mateo Activates Emergency Operations Center to Enhance Regional Preparedness

Redwood City - As Super Bowl-related activities ramp up ahead of Sunday's game at Levi's Stadium, the County of San Mateo is working closely with regional partners to protect the public and keep the community and visitors informed.

As part of that effort, the County will activate its Emergency Operations Center on Friday at a low level as a precautionary measure. The activation, which runs through Monday, Feb. 10, supports County departments, local public safety agencies and regional partners as they track conditions and respond as needed throughout the Bay Area.

"Events like the Super Bowl bring energy and excitement to the entire region," said Noelia Corzo, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves and get where they're going safely. This behind-the-scenes coordination helps ensure we're ready to support our communities and visitors if conditions change."

The Emergency Operations Center serves as a hub during significant events and emergencies, providing a direct line of communication to local, state and federal partners. During the activation period, personnel from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and other local public safety agencies, including fire and emergency medical services, will be on hand to share information, coordinate assistance and respond quickly if needed.

"Activating the Emergency Operations Center helps us respond quickly," said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of San Mateo County Emergency Management. "The goals are simple: be prepared, stay coordinated and communicate clearly."

How You Can Prepare:

Sign Up for Super Bowl Alerts
Depending on where you will be during Super Bowl week, simply text the appropriate keyword to the corresponding number to receive urgent notifications from local public safety agencies in that jurisdiction. Community members and visitors are urged to sign up for all three. Alerts signed up through the dedicated keyword will expire after game day:

• Santa Clara (Levi's Stadium area): Text SBLX to 888-777 to get Santa Clara County's emergency alerts for the Super Bowl. This will cover the stadium vicinity as well as countywide alerts.
• San Mateo County: Text SuperBowl to 672-83 to receive San Mateo County's emergency alerts during Super Bowl activities. Many visitors will travel through or stay in San Mateo County, so officials urge them to sign up for any critical updates along the way.
• San Francisco: Text SuperBowlSF to 888-777 to sign up for San Francisco's AlertSF notifications tailored for Super Bowl events in the city. San Francisco will host several Super Bowl week events, and this opt-in ensures you'll receive any urgent alerts specific to the city.

Once subscribed, users will receive text messages if there are significant emergencies or public safety announcements in that area. Example messages may contain information about unexpected road closures, public transit updates, severe weather warnings or any security incidents. By choosing the right alert sign-up based on your Super Bowl plans, you'll stay informed and safe wherever you go during the event.

Be Aware of Human Trafficking
In the lead-up to Super Bowl week, the County of San Mateo has also stepped up efforts to help hotels, transportation providers and other frontline industries recognize and report potential signs of human trafficking.

In December, the County convened regional partners, service providers and industry representatives to discuss ways to prevent trafficking and how to identify trafficking operations. The effort is part of an ongoing approach focused on awareness, prevention and connecting victims to services year-round.

Need help for yourself or someone else or to report activity that may be related to human trafficking? Call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733

More resources: https://www.smcgov.org/da/human-trafficking-prevention-and-enforcement-initiative

Stay Calm, Know Your Rights
While the County has not been informed of any immigration enforcement operations planned for Super Bowl related events, the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline is available 24/7 as a resource. If you witness possible immigration enforcement activity, stay calm, know your rights and avoid spreading misinformation. Call the hotline: 203-666-4472.

Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
[email protected]
650-670-6114