When an emergency is happening, information can change quickly.
A wildfire can change direction. A winter storm can close roads. A flood can make a familiar route impassable. An evacuation area can expand. Sometimes, you may only have minutes to make an important decision.
That’s why emergency notifications are an important part of being prepared.
Don’t Wait Until an Emergency Happens
One of the simplest things you can do to prepare is make sure you have a reliable way to receive emergency information before you need it.
Emergency notification systems can provide important information such as:
- Evacuation instructions
- Wildfire information
- Severe weather warnings
- Flood notifications
- Road closures
- Hazardous materials incidents
- Shelter information
- Other urgent public safety information
The goal isn’t to send alerts for every event. Emergency notifications are intended to provide information when residents may need to take action or be aware of a significant threat.
Your Phone Isn’t Automatically a Complete Emergency Plan
Many people assume that because they have a smartphone, they’ll automatically receive every emergency notification.
That’s not necessarily the case.
Different warning systems serve different purposes, and no single system can reach everyone under every circumstance. Cell service can also be disrupted during a disaster, or you may be somewhere that doesn’t have reliable coverage.
Consider having multiple ways to receive information, including:
- Gallatin Community Notification System
- Wireless Emergency Alerts on your mobile phone
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Local television and radio
- Official government websites
- Official government social media accounts
Using multiple sources gives you more opportunities to receive important information.
Keep Your Information Current
If you sign up for the Gallatin Community Notification System, make sure your contact information stays current.
If you change your phone number, email address, home address, or other contact information, update your registration.
It’s also worth reviewing your notification settings periodically to make sure you understand what types of alerts you may receive.
Make Sure Your Family Gets the Message
Emergency preparedness isn’t just about receiving an alert yourself.
Think about the other people in your household and make sure they are independently registered in the Community Notification System.
- Do family members have emergency notifications enabled on their phones?
- Does someone who may need additional assistance have a reliable way to receive information?
- Do you have a plan for communicating if family members are at work, school, or somewhere else when an emergency occurs?
Talk about what your family will do when an emergency notification is received.
For example:
“If we receive an evacuation warning, we’ll check official information, gather our emergency supplies, and be prepared to leave.”
Having that conversation ahead of time can make it easier to respond when the alert actually arrives.
Take Alerts Seriously—but Verify Information
An emergency notification is a signal to pay attention.
- Read the message carefully and follow the instructions provided. If additional information is available, use official sources to learn more.
- Be cautious about relying on social media posts, forwarded messages, screenshots, or rumors during an emergency. Information can become outdated quickly.
- When possible, get emergency information directly from official public safety agencies and local government sources.
Don’t Ignore an Evacuation Order
If authorities issue an evacuation order for your area, don’t wait for additional confirmation from friends, neighbors, or social media.
Follow the instructions provided by emergency officials.
If you have pets, mobility needs, medical equipment, or other circumstances that could affect your evacuation, include those considerations in your emergency plan before an evacuation occurs.
Take Five Minutes Today
Emergency preparedness doesn’t always require a major project.
Take five minutes today to:
- Check your phone’s emergency alert settings.
- Sign up for your local emergency notification system.
- Make sure your contact information is current.
- Talk with your household about how you’ll communicate during an emergency.
- Identify at least two reliable sources for emergency information.
Those five minutes could make a significant difference when you need information quickly.
Stay Informed. Stay Connected. Be Ready.
Emergency alerts are one piece of a larger preparedness plan—but they’re an important one.
Don’t wait for the emergency to find out how you’ll receive the warning. Make sure you’re connected before you need the information.