One of the advantages the ever-present smart phones offer is the ability to quickly get information that will keep people safe and perhaps even save lives.

During the spring and summer storm season, Iowans are especially aware of the need to be able to get severe weather alerts. Getting storm warnings during the winter is a necessity, too, and there may be other kinds of emergency alerts throughout the year. Being able to get those alerts in a timely and easy-to-understand manner is key.

Smart phones have been providing those alerts. Now, Webster County is moving to an improved method for getting that emergency information to residents.

That method is an app called Smart911. It is the app used by Alert Iowa, a statewide emergency notification system the county uses to send alerts to residents.

This app can transmit essential warnings via voice, text, email and social media.

Getting this app is fairly simple. It can be downloaded from Apple or the Google Play stores. If necessary, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a younger relative or friend to get this done.

And if you have questions about the Smart911 app, contact the Webster County Emergency Management Agency at 573-1403 or ema@webstercountyia.org.

We urge everyone to download the Smart911 app. The information it will provide just might save your life someday.