Carter County’s new Everbridge mass notification system is now live, and city and county residents are encouraged to enroll for safety, weather and community alerts.
“If people opt in, it allows us to get information directly to them,” said Gary Smith, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director. “We send one notification that goes to everyone, and they can pick which alerts they want to receive.”
The system allows for both weather and community alerts, including but not limited to wind, flood, winter weather advisories, severe weather alerts, school closures, town meetings and road closures. Some categories have subcategories, and every type of notification is optional.
“As we’re just getting it up and running, some features are not going to be totally active yet, like town meetings notifications,” Smith said, adding the only notifications initially will be weather alerts, which are generated through the National Weather Service.
Smith said all contact information data collected for the program is secure and is not used for any other purposes.
It is possible to select quiet hours in which people do not wish to be contacted. Additionally, those that opt in may download a phone application on which they may provide feedback.
Everbridge provides a communications platform globally, and is used by millions of people to receive secure messages when people need them most. At any time, participants may opt out or adjust their accounts to better accommodate their needs.
To enroll, visit this link. With questions or for more information, call the EMA office at 423-542-1888.