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| Local alert system switching providers |
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7/12/2019
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
The Code Red alert system used in the past is being replaced in Montgomery County.
MoCo Alert is now offered through a partnership with RAVE Mobile Safety and is free to individuals who sign up for notifications sent from state and local authorities.
Dispatch Director Monica Allen said one of the fortunate aspects of the switch is that it costs approximately half that of the Code Red system. She said the dispatch center is paying about $7,000 to partner with RAVE.
MoCo Alert keeps residents and travelers informed of potentially hazardous situations involving weather, traffic and other emergencies.
Participants will receive weather warnings through the National Weather Service and be notified of local road closures or boil water advisories.
Residents outside the county can receive warnings while in Montgomery County if they opt-in, Allen said.
Several area counties also have the system, she said.
“MoCo Alert enables authorities to notify the community in real time,” Allen said. “This service allows for critical communication with the public and provides individuals with the information needed to stay safe or take precautions during hazardous or emergency situations.”
You can sign up for free at www.getrave.com/login/montgomerycoky.
Participants can request messages be sent by e-mail, call or text message. You can also request to receive the messages in all three forms.
The Smart911 app provides enhanced functionality by sending targeted alerts based on the user’s location.
Smart911 app users will receive the highest priority NWS alerts including tornado warnings, flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings based on their real-time location, according to a release.
“This is the new age tornado siren,” Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Greg Beam said.
The county hasn’t had operational tornado sirens since the 1970s, and they were largely ineffective in certain parts of the county, he said.
“This will make people more aware of what’s going on around them,” Allen said.
You can download the Smart911 App in the Apple Store or Google Play or by texting Smart911 to 67283.
There are only a few questions you will be asked when signing up, such as your name and phone number, e-mail address and to establish a password, officials said.
You can also go back and change your information if you move, for example, officials said.
Landline users will not be overlooked. They should receive the service as well, Beam said.
“Community members will receive notifications that will improve safety in our city and county and help inform residents of potentially lifesaving actions they may need to take in an emergency,” Allen said. “The information sent out by MoCo Alert through emergency notifications allows both residents and first responders to be better informed in an emergency situation.
“When authorities have information about a situation, such as storms or other emergencies, they can be more effective in providing information to the public and appropriate assistance,” she added. “We encourage all members of our community and their families sign up for MoCo Alert in order to be prepared should an emergency occur.”
Beam has been signing up participants this week at the Montgomery County Fair and hopes to be doing so again at the next First Friday event. He has also been handing out fliers during his travels around the county, and they are posted at several locations.
The dispatch center hopes to expand its Smart911 services in the future, Allen said.
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