A new app that will provide Webster County residents with public safety and weather alerts is being promoted by Webster County Emergency Management.

The name of the app is Smart911. It is the app used by Alert Iowa, a statewide emergency notification system the county uses to send alerts to residents.

According to Dylan Hagen, Webster County Emergency Management coordinator, improvements to the system will enable Webster County officials to better communicate emergency information directly to citizens via voice call, text message, email and social media.

Hagen said the system has the capability to translate messages into multiple languages.

“These upgrades will not only make it easier for us to notify our residents when emergencies happen, but also when we need to share important safety information and will allow residents to choose the best way to receive alerts,” Hagen said. “We would strongly encourage the use of the Smart911 app. If you use the app, not only do you get local alerts, but if you are traveling across the state, you can receive alerts statewide based on your location.”

Residents that have signed up for weather alerts or local community alerts will have to re-sign up for this service.

“Alert Iowa is a great tool that allows us to push official, real-time alerts to our residents,” said Hagen.

Signing up for Alert Iowa can be done through the county’s website or by downloading the Smart911 app.

The target date for Webster County to have the transition to the upgraded system completed is July 1.

To sign up:

• Download the Smart911 app from the Apple or Google Play store or create an account on the Webster County Smart 911 web portal at https://bit.ly/3hiLrXG

Those who download the app will be asked to provide their phone number. A confirmation number will then be sent to you. Next, users will create an account.

To learn more about Alert Iowa in Webster County, visit webstercountyia.gov. Additional information on the system is available at www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov

For further assistance in signing up, contact Webster County Emergency Management at 573-1403 or email ema@webstercountyia.org.