Home Page: Notices
|
November 18, 2009 Cell Phone Emergency Notifications
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA VERIFICATION (920) 236-7463 Contact: Linda Kollmann November 18, 2009 Winnebago County Residents Can Sign Up to Have Emergency Notifications Sent to their Cell Phones (OSHKOSH, WI) Winnebago County residents can now receive emergency notifications when they register their cell phone numbers with a new service offered by the Sheriff’s and Emergency Management Offices of Winnebago County. Residents who register their cell phone numbers with MyStateUSA, an emergency phone notification system, can be notified about community disasters or neighborhood emergencies such as evacuation or shelter-in-place orders, or a chemical spill that could affect them. “If there’s an emergency happening that could impact you or your family, this is another communications tool that will give you instructions on what you need to do to stay safe,” said Linda Kollmann, Director of the Winnebago County Office of Emergency Management. “I encourage citizens to take two minutes to register their cell phone numbers and also encourage them to tell their neighbors, friends and family to do the same.” County residents with landlines already are able to receive voice notifications. The new service will benefit all residents – even those who have only cell phones – if they register with MyStateUSA. “In Public Safety we realize the importance of communication and having a system like this is another avenue of communicating with the public when information could be life-saving” said Winnebago County Sheriff Mike Brooks. Participation is free, although cellular telephone providers may charge fees for receiving voice or text messages. This system is designed for Winnebago County residents only. To register a cell phone, visit Winnebago County’s web site, www.co.winnebago.wi.us , look for the link and follow the prompts. Residents who do not have access to a computer at home, school or work can use one at a public library or call 920-236-7459 to leave a message for a volunteer to call you back and assistant you.