Border Crossing Alerts: Should They Be Part of Alertable’s Emergency Notification System?

The Canada–US border is not only the longest international boundary in the world—it’s also one of the busiest. Each day, thousands of people cross for work, tourism, trade, and family reasons. But what happens when the border suddenly closes due to an emergency, natural disaster, or security concern?

Currently, these closures may catch travellers and businesses off guard, disrupting plans and causing confusion. This raises an important question: Should border crossing alerts be part of the Alertable system?

In this blog, we’ll explore the potential for including border crossing closures as an official Alertable event type. We’ll look at how Alertable defines emergency events, the critical importance of the Canada–US border, the real-world impacts of border closures, and the value of public feedback in shaping alert priorities.

Where Alertable Gets Its Event Types

Alertable is a multi-channel mass notification system built to keep the public informed about emergencies and disruptions. It delivers alerts through SMS, email, phone calls, mobile apps, desktop notifications, and more. At the heart of its alerting framework is the Canadian Profile of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP-CP), a standardized system that defines various types of emergencies and ensures consistency across Canada.

CAP-CP includes well-known emergencies such as wildfires, floods, severe weather, and more. By following this framework, Alertable ensures that alerts are clear, coordinated, and recognizable no matter where you are in the country.

Event Types: Border Crossing Alerts And The Role of Authoritative Sources

Alertable’s event types are primarily derived from recognized authorities such as government agencies, emergency services, and weather organizations. These sources ensure that the alerts are reliable, timely, and relevant. For instance, weather alerts come from Environment and Climate Change Canada. This reliance on authoritative sources ensures that the information disseminated through Alertable is accurate and trustworthy.

Government agencies such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) monitor and manage the border. They have the expertise and resources to provide timely and accurate information about border crossing conditions, including closures. By integrating alerts from these agencies, Alertable can provide users with reliable and up-to-date information about border crossing events.

Listening to the Public: The Case for User Feedback in Border Crossing Alerts

Public input can help identify the specific types of border-crossing events that may interest users. For example, while some users may only be concerned about full border crossing closures, others may want to receive alerts about significant delays or changes in border crossing procedures. By gathering feedback from alert recipients, Alertable can tailor its alerts to meet the needs of those who receive them.

Understanding Border Crossings Between Canada and the U.S.

The Canada–U.S. border is more than just a geographic boundary’s a vital link connecting two closely intertwined nations. With deep economic, social, and cultural ties, this international border supports the daily movement of people and goods that power both economies and communities.

Why the Canada–U.S. Border Matters

Stretching over 8,891 kilometres, the Canada–U.S. border is one of the longest in the world, with numerous official crossing points across provinces and states. It is a critical corridor for:

• Trade - Billions of dollars in goods are transported across the border each year.
• Tourism - Travelers frequently cross for vacations, shopping, and leisure.
• Work and Family - Many people live on one side and work or have loved ones on the other.

Even brief border disruptions can create major ripple effects. Industries like automotive manufacturing rely on just-in-time delivery, where even a short delay at the border can cause production to halt, impacting supply chains and revenue. For everyday citizens, a closure could mean missing a family gathering or an important meeting.

When the Border Closes: Lessons from the Past

History has shown that the Canada–U.S. border is not immune to closures and restrictions. These events have often occurred in response to:

• Health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, led to unprecedented border restrictions to slow the virus’s spread.
• Security threats, most notably after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when the border closed to all but essential traffic.
• Natural disasters, including wildfires in 2017 that shut down crossings between British Columbia and Washington State, and flooding in 2018 that impacted crossings between Ontario and New York.

These incidents underscore how crucial it is to have fast, reliable updates during border disruptions. A well-timed alert could help reroute travelers, reduce congestion, and even improve emergency response efforts.

Why a Border Crossing Alert Might Be Warranted

Given the critical role the Canada–U.S. border plays in the daily lives of millions, there’s a compelling case for including border crossing alerts as a supported event type in Alertable. From economic disruptions to personal hardships, the effects of a closure can be widespread and immediate.

Daily Life Disrupted by Border Closures

For many individuals, crossing the border isn’t a rare event’s part of their daily routine. When crossings suddenly close, the ripple effects can be substantial:

• Cross-border commuters may find themselves unable to reach their workplaces.
• Families living on opposite sides of the border may be unexpectedly separated.
• Businesses that rely on just-in-time deliveries may face costly delays or shortages.

Timely alerts about border conditions could help people plan alternate routes, adjust schedules, or avoid travel altogether, reducing stress and potential financial loss.

For instance, someone who commutes from Windsor to Detroit for work would benefit greatly from an alert about a sudden closure at the Ambassador Bridge. Similarly, a retailer expecting a shipment from across the border could make contingency plans if they receive an early warning of a disruption.

Boosting Public Safety and Preparedness with Border Crossing Alerts

Beyond convenience, border crossing alerts can play a vital role in emergency response and preparedness. Whether the cause is a natural disaster, a security incident, or planned maintenance, providing early, accurate information empowers the public to respond appropriately.

Here’s how these alerts can enhance public safety:

• Alternative Routes - An alert can recommend nearby crossings that remain open.
• Real-Time Updates - Users can be informed of the estimated duration of the closure and any evolving risks.
• Safety Instructions - In the case of threats like wildfires, floods, or chemical spills, alerts can include evacuation advice or shelter-in-place instructions.

Preparedness improves when people aren’t left guessing. For example, a truck driver en route to a closed crossing could reroute early, avoiding wasted time and resources. Similarly, families traveling during a long weekend could change their plans before reaching a congested or blocked border.

Potential Challenges and Considerations for Border Crossing Alerts

While adding border crossing alerts to Alertable could offer clear benefits, it’s also important to recognize the challenges and thoughtful considerations that come with this expansion.

Delivering Timely and Accurate Information Border Crossing Alerts

One of the biggest challenges in issuing border crossing alerts is ensuring real-time accuracy. Conditions at the border can shift quickly due to traffic surges, operational issues, or emergencies. To maintain trust and usefulness, alerts would need to be issued by verified, authoritative sources, such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and be updated frequently to reflect the current status.

Just as with weather or wildfire alerts, speed and reliability are essential. Outdated or vague information could cause confusion or mislead travellers, defeating the purpose of the alert system.

Avoiding Alert Fatigue Through Personalization

Too many alerts can lead to alert fatigue, where users become overwhelmed and start ignoring notifications, potentially missing out on critical updates. To prevent this, Alertable already offers customizable alert preferences, and this would be key if border crossing alerts were introduced.

• Frequent border users, such as commuters or businesses, could opt in to receive relevant updates.
• Users who live far from the border or don’t travel often could simply opt out, keeping their alerts focused on local emergencies.

This approach respects user preferences while ensuring those who need the information most can access it quickly and consistently.

To know more about Alert Fatigue, check out: Over-Alerting and Alert Fatigue: How to Stop People from Disabling Alerts

Protecting Border Security and Sensitive Information

Another important consideration is security. While it’s helpful to inform the public about closures or delays, alerts must avoid disclosing sensitive details that could be exploited to undermine border operations or national security.

For example, information about specific security procedures or law enforcement activities should not be included in public alerts. To manage this, Alertable can collaborate with issuing authorities to ensure that alerts strike the right balance, providing helpful, actionable information without compromising public safety or operational integrity.

The Future of Border Crossing Alerts in Alertable

The idea of including border crossing closures as an Alertable event brings forward important questions about how we define and deliver critical public information. As we’ve explored, the Canada/US border is a vital connection point for countless individuals and businesses. Disruptions, whether due to natural disasters, security threats, or other emergencies, can have significant ripple effects on people’s daily lives, economic activity, and public safety.

Adding this type of alert could help mitigate those impacts by providing timely, trusted updates to those who need them most. As Alertable continues to grow, there's room to expand the types of alerts it delivers, guided by authoritative sources, public input, and a shared commitment to keeping people informed. Whether you’re a frequent border crosser or just someone who wants to stay prepared, your voice matters.

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