BOZEMAN, Mont. — Gallatin County officials said signing up for phone-based emergency alerts can help people get detailed wildfire information quickly.
County leaders said Everbridge lets first responders send targeted alerts through phone calls, text messages and app notifications.
People can create a profile, choose where they lived or which areas they wanted updates for and select the kinds of alerts they wanted to receive. Gallatin County uses the system to send information directly to people during emergencies.
Gallatin County Chief of Emergency Management Patrick Lonergan explained the county also uses other alert systems, like Wireless Emergency Alerts where Amber Alerts are sent; but Everbridge gives officials a way to share more detail in smaller, targeted areas.
“The best likelihood that we'll be able to provide direct, timely information to those that are affected is by them registering and telling us how they want to be notified and what locations they care about. Not to say they won't get alerted through other means, but that's the most guaranteed method that we can provide an accurate, timely message,” Lonergan said.
Silver Bow and Yellowstone counties also use Everbridge. Similar registration-based alert systems are also in use in Missoula, Flathead, Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties, and many other counties across the state.
If you are interested in finding your county's emergency alert system, you can visit their emergency management site.