Emergency Alert System Coming Soon

In a few weeks, Ellington residents will be able to sign up to have emergency alerts automatically delivered to them.

The town will soon be launching the Everbridge emergency alert system where residents will be able to have alerts sent to their e-mail, cell phone, home phone, fax machine, hearing impaired receiving device, and more.

Once a resident is signed up, emergency alerts will be automatically delivered. There will also be the option to add other alerts, such as those pertaining to public works, town government, and recreation.

This system will allow the town to provide residents with critical information quickly, and in a variety of situations - such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.

Those who sign up with receive the time-sensitive messages wherever they specify.

Once the system has been launched, residents will be able to find the sign up link on the town Web site. Residents will be asked to create a username and password and answer a security question. From there, they can choose what alerts they are interested in, and fill in some information about them - including if they are special needs or are willing/able to volunteer in any way. They will also be asked to fill in how they would like to be contacted and for that information -such as e-mail address, phone number, etc.

On Thursday afternoon, Emergency Management Director Don Davis and CERT team member Kenlyn Streiber taught some residents about the system at the .

Some of the residents were concerned that they do not have a computer, and therefore, how they will they be able to sign up for the alerts. Davis and Streiber told them that a friend, neighbor, or family member - even if they live in a different town or state - can sign the resident up, as long as they put in the zip code for Ellington. Other towns have similar alert systems, , and this one is specifically for Ellington alerts.

In addition to others being able to help, CERT team members will be offering training sessions at the Senior Center and to help sign residents up.

The residents at the center were also told about the Connecticut emergency alert and notification system, where they can sign up for state alerts.

Anyone with questions on these systems is encouraged to contact Davis at 860-870-3182 or ddavis@ellington-ct.gov.