The Thompson Nicola Regional District has launched its new emergency alert system, Voyent Alert!.
The system will be used to send alerts during emergencies to anyone who subscribes to the program. In addition to emergency alerts, the system will be used to send updates on water and service advisories to users of the TNRD’s eleven water systems and two wastewater systems
Board Chair Ken Gillis says before this, people would for the most part have to tune into local media to learn about issues, but now this new system will send an alert right to one’s phone.
“It’s simply a system that will let us know if there is a bio-medical issue that we should be aware of or a flood or a fire, and it will automatically go to your phone.”
“I guess it’s sort of similar to a medical alert kind of thing that will send a message to the hospital if you’re n some kind of difficulty, but instead of sending a message away from you it will send a message to you.”
The system has been tested and populated with user data in order to send water quality advisories and alerts to TNRD utility customers.
The district will be following a launch plan to meet or exceed roll-out targets with the goal of having at least 10 per cent of residents signed up within 12 months.