Winneshiek County has new emergency notification system

Winneshiek County has a new way of alerting the public to an emergency situation.

County officials now can use Inspiron Logistics' "Wireless Emergency Notification System" to quickly notify residents, neighborhoods or groups of people of dangerous situations including weather warnings.

A considerable portion of Winneshiek County residents only use cell phones as their primary source of communication; WENS gives the county the ability to notify all residents within moments of an emergency situation via cell phone. The system, which is internet-based, also can notify people by landline and email.

To subscribe, residents should go to http://tinyurl.com/wcalert and enter their contact numbers and email addresses.

"Besides letting the community know that the technology exists, the biggest challenge we're facing is encouraging Winneshiek residents to sign up for the notifications," said Winneshiek County Emergency Management coordinator Bruce Goetsch.  "This is a free service that is simple to subscribe to and can help residents in a time of emergency."

Though the sign up process is simple, WENS is designed to work proficiently in the event of the most extreme-case scenarios ensuring a reliable method of communication at a time when it is needed most. The system's quick and accurate distribution allows first responders and emergency personnel to aid a fully informed community.

Residents can choose to be notified via text, voicemail and/or email, in the event of an emergency, such as evacuation or flooding. In addition, residents may request notification of a severe weather event impacting their location, road closures, power outages and traffic alerts.

The service is provided free of charge, however normal messaging fees may apply.