New statewide notification system providing quicker alerts
ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Governor Kay Ivey announced this week the activation of a new statewide notification system.
Etowah County E911 Executive Director Wil Reed said when it comes to public safety, you can never have enough help - especially in times of natural disasters.
“Being a telecommunicator at 911 is not an easy job, but it is an adjunct to assist our dispatchers in doing their job,” said Reed.
The State of Alabama is investing a little over $1 million to launch the new system to quickly alert you in the case of floods and other disasters.
“911 centers can be overwhelmed with people calling in wanting to know if they’re affected, if they’re in the path of a flood. With this system and geospatial geofencing it will show the individuals that are in the path it will send them the messages directly instead of alerting an entire county,” said Reed.
Etowah County EMA Director Jim Slick said the state system is free for counties to use, and that gives them options.
“It gives us an opportunity to either have a duplication in mass notification or to replace the existing notification system that we have,” said Slick.
With direct alerts coming through cell and landline phones, TV’s and radio stations, the state is hoping to avoid tragedies like the one at Camp Mystic in Texas that killed 8-year-old Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook.
“This was needed due to multiple deaths and injuries that’s occurred over the years, not in one particular event, but we all know about the flooding event that happened, and a system like this was needed,” said Reed.
Governor Ivey said in the state’s press release: “Protecting the safety of all Alabamians, especially our children, is our top priority and this statewide flood notification system will enable families to receive more timely alerts to prepare and stay safe.”
You can visit ema.alabama.gov for more information about the new system.
Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2026 WBRC. All rights reserved.