PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Burlington County, New Jersey wants to keep its residents connected, especially during emergencies.
The county is encouraging its residents to sign up for a program that offers free real-time communication.
Burlington County's Department of Public Safety is offering the free CivicReady Emergency Alert System.
"It's just another way to try and keep the residents of the county informed and safe from hazards that may be occurring in their area, so that they know about it and can take the appropriate action," said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O'Connell.
"It's just trying to get information that might be of importance to them in a timely fashion, and at no cost to them."
Once someone signs up, they'll get real-time alerts and notifications about severe weather, fires, floods, power outages, and much more. People can select to be notified on a home phone or by cell, text message, or email. and this plan can be tailored.
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"Like my town Delran, they can send me messages out that way in a reverse 9-1-1 call, but I can also sign up for so that I can tailor to Delran," said O'Connell.
"My parents when they were both living, they lived in Mt Laurel. I could let them know because they were elderly."
The system is used for emergency alerts as well as non-emergency matters related to public safety and has been extended to all 40 municipalities. So far, more than half of the county's towns have opted in.
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The County Office of Emergency Management is one of the principal users of the system as well as other county departments.
Alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.
Click here to sign up for Burlington County CivicReady Alerts.
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