Pittsfield Launches New Emergency Notification System

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has partnered with CivicPlus to implement a new Mass Notification software. By partnering with CivicPlus, the city will be able to issue urgent notifications, emergency instructions, warnings, and routine communications to subscribed residents via phone call, email, text message, and voicemail to keep people safe and informed.
 
In a local emergency, community members subscribed to this Mass Notification system will benefit from immediate, actionable information and instructions sent via their preferred notification channel. Residents can sign up for alerts in a variety of languages including but not limited to: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese.
 
"Communicating with residents is an essential function of local government, especially in times of emergency," said Mayor Peter Marchetti. "This new system will provide both emergency and non-emergency alerts to keep residents up to date with relevant information."
 
"These notifications are essential in our emergency planning efforts," said Pittsfield Fire Chief Thomas Sammons. "I encourage everyone to sign up for these notifications so they can stay up to date with information related to inclement weather, evacuation notices, road closures and more."
 
The CivicPlus Mass Notification software replaces CodeRED that was previously used for similar notifications. Any member of the public that wants to receive emergency and/or non-emergency communications and alerts will be required to sign up with Mass Notifications.
 
To sign up for Mass Notifications, residents should visit https://www.pittsfieldma.gov/alert-signup and the select the alerts they want to receive. An account will need to be created to receive alerts.
 
A CivicsPlus how-to sign up video is available directly in the portal that will answer most questions about the sign-up process. However, any resident that requires additional help can visit or call:
 
• Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue (413) 499-9480
• Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, 330 North Street (413) 499-9346
• City Hall: Main phone number (413) 449-5600, press option #7
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Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Holds Awards Banquet

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Friday honored outstanding contributors to the Berkshire County sports scene at its third annual Awards Dinner at the Polish Falcon Club.
 
The foundation supports youth sports throughout the county each year.
 
In 2025-26, those donations totaled more than $30,000 to groups ranging from youth football and cheerleading programs, Pittsfield Little League, Northern Berkshire Softball and the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club Recreation Therapy Program, to name a few.
 
Funds raised by the foundation also go to support its annual Vera Barborotta Memorial Sportsman Scholarship, which this year went to Lee High School graduate Joey Abderhalden and Taconic grad Madeline Harrington.
 
Two other recently graduated high school standout athletes were recognized as winners of the Al Bianchi Memorial Athletes of the Year: Madison McCarthy and Cooper Calvert, both of Wahconah Regional High School.
 
Pittsfield High School girls basketball coach Kristy Conyers and Hoosac Valley boys basketball coach Matt Larabee received the foundation's Coach of the Year Awards.
 
John Castonguay received the Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Living Legend Award. A.J. Ziter took home the Connie Bianchi Memorial Award of Merit. And Mark Moulton rounded out the honorees with the foundation's Volunteer of the Year Award.
 
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