Monday, June 8, 2015

Chester County DES launches new mass notification system



Today, Chester County Department of Emergency Services releases its new mass notification system:   ReadyChesCo replaces ReadyNotifyPA (for the public). ReadyChesCo is powered by Everbridge. This upgrade is part of a Southeast PA region-wide change in software that has powered the system. Some of the enhancements include:
ReadyChesCo.
- The ability to specify how you want to be contacted. Do you prefer a telephone call before being text messaged? You control the order in which you are notified.
- Automated weather alerts based on the addresses you provide. If the Brandywine River is rising and going to flood but you don't live anywhere near the Brandywine, you won't be notified. If a Severe Thunderstorm is going to affect Tredyffrin but you live in Oxford, you won't be warned. We will alert based on the US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly defined areas that will be affected. You can also set "Quiet Hours" so you won't be alerted about non-life threatening weather when you're sleeping or at work. But, don't worry, we'll still wake you up if it's going to save your life.
- Better reliability in alerting. With the new system you'll receive true SMS text messages. If you change carriers you'll still be alerted. You'll only need to update the system if your phone number changes. You can also save the address as a contact in your phone so you'll know it's important.
In the next few hours, you will receive a notification to go get signed up.
 Once we're launched, we will be working with municipalities and other Chester County departments so they can deliver non-emergency information about services and opportunities. This system will really become an information hub for Chester County!

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