South Milwaukee’s new telephone-based emergency alert system is here, and I think it’s a great way to improve our communications during the times when we need them most.
The system, which I wrote about in December, generates automated phone calls to city residents with a landline phone during emergencies, sharing information about what’s happening and what to do next.
Let’s hope we never need to use it. But think of how useful this would have been during the floods of 2008 and 2010, or the water main break last year, when residents were starved for information and it wasn’t always easy to share it.
So, what do you need to do to receive this service? Nothing, really. All landline phones are already in the database we will access for this service.
But there is a way to also get emergency calls and text messages to your mobile device. To get that service (which is also free) you need to add your mobile phone number to our provider’s database. Learn more on this page on the city website.
I encourage you to do it … and take full advantage of this valuable service.
(I also want to give a shout out to the Women’s Club of South Milwaukee, which has donated $1,500 to purchase our first block of 10,000 calls that we now have banked to use in an emergency. That essentially equals one call to every city landline. The city can purchase more if needed.)
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I tried to sign up and got this message:
Cell phone # is not valid or the carrier is not supported. I have verizon wireless.
Joe: Interesting. Mine worked (I have AT&T/iPhone). I will forward this on to our emergency management director and see if she’s heard other issues.
I also got that message on sprintPCS
Joes: I contacted Jackie Ove about this, and she said she has not heard about problems registering — but she wants to hear from you. Can you contact her at the Health Department (768-8055) and let her know what you’re experiencing? Your feedback is important if we’re going to do this right. Thanks!