Staying connected when emergencies strike

When disaster nears, accurate information can make the difference between staying safe and being in danger. Where most places face one disaster risk, we face many, including wildfires, flooding, volcanic ashfall, and severe weather. Thankfully, we also have many communication systems to keep us informed when trouble hits close to home.

Emergency communication systems work like a giant phone tree that can reach thousands of people at the same time. Instead of relying on word-of-mouth or hoping you catch the news, these services deliver critical information directly to your phone, email, or computer.

The most common system you might hear about is called reverse 911. This technology works opposite of regular emergency calls. Instead of you calling 911 for help, the emergency system calls you with important information. When officials activate reverse 911, it automatically dials phone numbers in affected areas. The system delivers recorded messages about evacuations, shelter locations, road closures, or other urgent news.

Another valuable tool is Nixle. Nixle sends text messages, emails, and phone calls to people who sign up for the service. You choose what types of alerts you want to receive and how you want to receive them. This system covers everything from severe weather warnings to missing person alerts. Police departments, fire services, and other officials may use Nixle to share time-sensitive information with residents.

GoGov represents a newer approach to emergency communication. This platform combines multiple communication methods into one system. It can send alerts through app notifications, text messages, email, phone calls, and even social media. What makes GoGov special is its ability to target specific neighborhoods. If flooding affects only certain parts of Houston, for example, the city’s GoGov app can send alerts just to those residents.

For travel-related emergencies and road conditions, Alaska maintains a very robust 511.Alaska.gov. This website and phone service provides real-time information about highway conditions, construction, weather-related closures, and travel advisories. During the winter months or during severe weather, this service is important for anyone traveling the highways.

Weather-specific alerts come from the National Weather Service. They issue warnings, watches, and alerts for severe conditions all over Alaska. You can sign up at weather.gov by entering your zip code and selecting which types of weather alerts you want to receive. These alerts come directly from meteorologists, who watch conditions all day, every day.

Two automatic alert systems work without requiring you to sign up for anything; the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts.

The Emergency Alert System sends warnings through radio and television broadcasts. This system interrupts regular programming to deliver critical information about immediate threats to public safety.

Wireless Emergency Alerts work similarly but send messages directly to your cell phone. These alerts appear as special text messages with a unique sound and vibration pattern. You receive these alerts automatically if your phone is in the affected area, no matter who your carrier is or whether you signed up for any services. These alerts cover the most serious emergencies like flash flood warnings and AMBER alerts for missing children.

To access these services, start by contacting your local agency to see what it uses. Look for emergency management or public safety departments where you can find links to sign up for alerts. The apps your local agency use are the most important to you.

For Nixle services, visit nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to begin receiving alerts for your area. The 511 Alaska system can be reached by calling 511 from any phone or visiting its website at 511.alaska.gov. For National Weather Service alerts, go to weather.gov and click on the “Subscribe to Alerts” section. For GoGov, download the app specific to the agency. The City of Houston has a QR and URL available on request or at city hall.

Signing up for these services is free, and you control what information you receive. You can choose to get only the most important emergency alerts or include less urgent community notifications. Most systems also let you select how you receive information, whether through text messages, phone calls, or email. You can also opt-out any time.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.