New system to alert public of emergencies

Published 11/1/23

FREMONT – Dodge County has changed Mass Notification System software vendors to Everbridge. Local fire departments, law enforcement, and elected officials will be able to issue urgent notifications, emergency instructions, warnings, and routine communications to residents via e-mail, text message and voicemail to keep people safe and informed. In a local emergency, community members subscribed to the Everbridge system will benefit from immediate, actionable information and instructions sent via their preferred notification channel.

“Mass Notifications are an invaluable tool for our communities,” Dodge County Emergency Management Director Tom Smith said. “It enhances our ability to communicate crucial information swiftly and effectively, ensuring residents living in Dodge County stay informed and safe. In the fast pace of the world today, timely informative notifications can make all the difference”

The Mass Notification software also integrates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS). The IPAWS system leverages national emergency communication channels, such as the Emergency Alert System (EAS), NOAA weather radios, digital road signage, and television broadcasts, to provide area-specific alerts in times of emergency. By integrating the Mass Notification system with IPAWS, the local public safety agencies will be able to reach as many people as possible during an emergency event, including those who have not opted-in to text, phone, or email communications, as well as travelers and visitors in the area.

Residents are encouraged to download the Everbridge mobile device application to subscribe to the multiple weather alerts available to receive for your location in Dodge County and determine preference of notification method.

Residents can also go to the Dodge County Emergency Management or City of Fremont websites to subscribe. Residents that previously used an email address when they signed up for Alert Sense system will receive an email to create an account in Everbridge and set their preferences. Local emergency alert voice messages will come from 402-317-5118. All County residents are encouraged to save this phone number in their phones.

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