Independence County officials announced Thursday the implementation of the FireTEXT Community Alert System, a new emergency notification platform designed to keep residents informed during critical situations and community emergencies.
The system aims to provide instant and vital information to county residents, enhancing public safety and preparedness.
The FireTEXT Community Alert System will allow county officials to deliver immediate updates on various emergencies, including severe weather warnings, emergency evacuations, and important community announcements.
Weather alerts will be automatically pushed to members via the FireTEXT app.
County Judge Kevin Jeffery highlighted the importance of the new system, stating, “Public safety is our top priority, and effective communication during emergencies can literally save lives. The FireTEXT system gives us the ability to reach our residents instantly with critical information. … It is worth the investment of time and resources to keep our citizens informed.”
Key features of Independence County’s new alert system include instant delivery of notifications via email, zone-specific targeting to send messages to particular areas within the county, and 24/7 availability for issuing emergency notifications. The system also offers a user-friendly signup process at firetext411.us and provides residents with opt-in flexibility to choose their preferred notification methods.
The FireTEXT Community Alert System is operated by FireTEXT Dispatch Solutions, a company founded by first responders in 2006. The company serves departments nationwide and boasts a 99% system uptime record.
John Cook, owner and chief operating officer of FireTEXT, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re proud to partner with Independence County to enhance their emergency communication capabilities. Our platform was built by firefighters for first responders, and we understand the critical importance of reliable communication during emergencies.”
Residents can sign up for Independence County Community Alerts at firetext411.us. To receive notifications, residents are also encouraged to download the FireTEXT app. The service is provided at no cost to residents.
County officials said the FireTEXT Community Alert System is the latest addition to Independence County’s ongoing emergency preparedness initiatives, underscoring the county’s dedication to protecting and informing its residents in all circumstances.
Image: White River Now
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on
93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch CBS News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.