There are two resources locally that can push very important emergency alerts to residents. The first, Spokane’s emergency notification system, ALERT Spokane, spokaneprepares.org/SpokaneENS.php, is able to send emergency messages via telephone, cellular phone, voice over internet protocol (like Comcast or Vonage), or email to residents and businesses located within Spokane County. ALERT Spokane may be used by emergency response personnel to notify specific homes and businesses at risk with particular information about an emergency in their area. Residents are only alerted when the associated address will be impacted by an emergency. Landline phone numbers, both listed and unlisted, automatically receive alerts. The second resource, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), is offered nationwide and is equally important for residents to keep informed of emergencies, as well as weather events, which locally could include flash floods, dust storms, extreme wind warnings, blizzards, and ice storms. WEAs are sent by authorized government officials alerting authorities through mobile carriers. Most phones are WEA-capable. This service is offered for free by wireless carriers and WEA messages do not count toward texting limits on a wireless plan. If a resident is unsure whether these alerts are activated for their phone, they should check with their cell phone provider. WEA’s real-time delivery can help keep residents and their loved ones stay safe during an emergency, without the need to download an app or subscribe to a service. These alerts look like a text message and show the type and time of the alert, any action a resident should take, and the agency issuing the alert—even if a resident is traveling outside the county. The alert sounds with a special tone and vibration, both repeated twice.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:39:16 +0000
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