By Rod Boshart
The GAzette
DES MOINES — Officials with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Tuesday announced the development of an Alert Iowa statewide mass notification and emergency messaging system.
The new alert system can be used by state and local authorities to quickly disseminate emergency information to residents in counties that use the system, according to Homeland Security agency Director Mark Schouten, who announced the launch of the new alert system at the opening of the 11th Annual Iowa Homeland Security Conference.
The system is free of charge and available to all counties So far 34 of Iowa’s 99 counties have signed up to use the Alert Iowa system, officials said. Alert Iowa will allow citizens to sign up for the types of alerts they would like to receive. Messages can be issued via landline or wireless phone, text messaging, email, FAX, TDD/TYY, and social media.
Also, messages may contain photo, video and audio attachments to help subscribers better understand the situation at hand, or where to find additional information. Citizens will be able to sign up to receive alerts on the county’s registration page and they also will have the option to sign up to receive alerts in multiple counties.
Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds were on hand for Tuesday’s launch of the system developed by the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
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©2014 The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)