STAY INFORMED, STAY SAFE: EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

STAY INFORMED, STAY SAFE: EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS HEALTH Magazine, Winter 2025 Published by the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation This podcast episode is an AI-generated narration of the HEALTH Magazine article. The full article text is provided below as the official transcript of this episode. STAY INFORMED, STAY SAFE: EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS by Mike Gale, Emergency Preparedness Division Director Narrated by Mike Gale using AI-assisted voice. As emergencies unfold, having good situational awareness can keep you and your family safe. The situation can change rapidly, and information can be limited or hard to find at first. When faced with unexpected situations, people will naturally try to seek and confirm information - even if danger is obvious - before taking action, a phenomenon called “milling”. This delay can put lives at risk. Emergency Managers, Public Information Officers, and 911 centers work to gather and send out timely and accurate information as soon as possible in the form of emergency notifications, with the goal of getting people to take appropriate protective actions. TYPES OF EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS Public safety officials can send notifications and alerts through various systems at federal, state, and local levels. Ways to receive them include phone calls, text messages, social media, app notifications, emails, websites, radio, television, freeway signs, and intercom systems. Here are some types of alerts you should be familiar with: • County Emergency Alerts: Each county in Southwest Utah has its own Emergency Alert System, but you have to sign up to receive it. These alerts provide vital information and instructions about local events such as public safety incidents, evacuations, shelter-in-place orders, missing persons, hazardous materials incidents, wildfires, and flooding. Visit s w u health.gov/prepare, scroll down to “Alerts,” and select your county to sign up! Add and label the alert number in your contacts so you’ll recognize it if you’re being notified. • School Alerts: Systems for events and drills at school districts and universities. • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Alerts: These alerts for severe weather conditions can be received through weather apps, websites (alerts.weather.gov), & N OA A radio network stations. • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): WEAs are emergency text messages sent to mobile devices in a targeted area to inform the public of critical situations. WEAs include Amber Alerts about missing children, National Alerts issued by the President of the United States or FEMA, Imminent Threat Alerts involving threats to safety or life, and Public Safety Messages that give recommendations for saving lives and property • FEMA Alerts: Uses the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send local alerts through cell phones, NOAA weather radios, sirens, and billboards. You can also download FEMA’s mobile app to receive emergency alerts, send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, and get preparedness resources. • Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Alerts: Displayed on overhead freeway signs, providing traffic condition information. UDOT also has a smartphone app that can provide alerts while traveling in the state. • Event-Specific Alerts: Notifications for sporting events, concerts, and other large gatherings. • Specialized Alerts: For earthquakes, volcanoes, space weather, cardiac arrests, and public health issues. Requires signing up through the relevant agency such as the USGS, National Space Weather Prediction Center, etc. opt-out versus opt-in EMERGENCY ALERTS People often assume they will receive all emergency alerts because they automatically get Amber Alerts. However, many notification systems require you to sign up. Ensure you are signed up to receive alerts from your county, workplace, and school. You can choose what types of alerts you want to receive in each system, and remember to keep your contact information updated. RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM NEWS MEDIA News media outlets are a critical source of information during emergencies, providing live updates, detailed coverage, and expert analysis of ongoing situations. • Tune into trusted outlets: including local TV and radio stations. • Monitor multiple sources: Compare information to ensure accuracy and get a comprehensive view of the situation. • Stay updated online: Many news organizations offer live streaming and real-time updates on their websites and social media channels. • Use emergency radios: Battery-powered or hand-crank radios are essential for staying informed during power outages. SOCIAL MEDIA PITFALLS - Anyone can reach large numbers of people through social media. Posts can share credible information but can also contain inaccurate or false news. Use caution when getting information from social media platforms and check for reputable sources. MAINTAIN GOOD SITUATIONAL AWARENESS Don’t just wait for an emergency to take action; make sure you’re signed up for the right alerts for you and your family and follow your emergency plans to stay informed and safe!