County residents now have up-to-the minute information regarding emergency situations thanks to an all-new online site in Alberta.
The Alberta Emergency Alert is a digital service where users can access timely information regarding potential crises.
Currently, 36 media outlets have signed up to use the new system that began June 28. More than 650 people from 200 communities are currently being trained to authorize emergency alerts.
Alerts will be issued by authorized personnel working for municipalities, emergency services, provincial and federal governments and First Nations and Métis settlements.
“This system depends on partnerships to help get life-saving information to Albertans,” said Hector Goudreau, minister of municipal affairs. “Government has developed this enhanced alert system as one tool for communities and organizations to use as part of their local emergency preparedness plan.”
Alerts can be issued for anything that is deemed dangerous, according to the Province.
Alerts for tornadoes warnings, missing children, high water levels, road closures and 911 service changes have been issued so far. In total, 11 emergency alerts have been sent out, including six deemed critical. The first use of the service was for a tornado near Sundre, July 7.
County Reeve Rolly Ashdown is supportive of the new alert measures.
“Whenever the Province make improvements on emergency measures that help our constituents, we’re all for it,” he said. “The old systems on the TV didn’t look very good and I didn’t think it was that great.”
Ashdown said systems like this are a good idea and he is glad the Province has taken to social media to get the message out to a wider audience.
“As the Province keeps going, it’s only going to improve,” he added.“The new Alberta Emergency alert gives municipalities the ability to get critical information in the event of an emergency or disaster,” said Wendy McGrath, public affairs officer with municipal affairs.As part of its transition from an analog to a digital system, the Province will begin decommissioning all of its analog equipment in October.
“It’s not quite as simple as going from one system to another with the flick of a switch,” said McGrath.
On Sept. 21, municipal affairs will issue a province-wide digital test of the new alert system. Informational alerts will also be sent out through Facebook and Twitter, a key component of the new program.
“It’s interesting, in a disaster, we’ve noticed that in an emergency or crisis, people turn to social media,” said McGrath. “It’s just one more tool in the ability for Albertans to be aware and be prepared.”
In the future, radio and television will play emergency alerts if a situation is considered to be life-threatening.
“Disasters are unpredictable and alerts can provide life saving information,” said McGrath.
For more information or to use system, visit www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca
