Published: September 30, 2009 12:03 am         

Edgar County offers new emergency alert system

PARIS, Ill. — A new emergency alert system is now available to residents of Edgar County, Illinois.

Edgar County Alert, an instant emergency notification system, is designed to improve public warning notices in the county, and replaces the failed county-operated siren system.

The electronically operated system notifies all landlines and all registered cell phones via text or voice, registered e-mail addresses or text-enabled pagers.

Residents and businesses may register up to five cell phones, e-mail addresses or pager numbers. Landlines are automatically registered, according to the Edgar County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.

Registration is available at www.edgarcountyalert.org. The registration point is near the top of the page on the Edgar County LEPC Web site, and asks participants to choose SMS (text messages) or voice messages.

Assistance in registering is available at the Paris or Chrisman libraries, and from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at the ESDA Office, 1023 N. High St., Paris, Ill.

The system will only deliver emergency messages that allow the public to protect life and property. The messages will be specific to the registered address. As an example, a tornado warning will only be issued for addresses located in the National Weather Service warning polygon.

Local emergency officials will also be able to instantly map areas in need of notification.

Phones that have Caller ID will recognize the calling number as 999-999-9999.

While the service is free, normal message fees may apply depending on cell phone or pager service provider. To receive text messages to a cell phone, the phone must have text messaging capabilities.

For more information on the program, call the Edgar County ESDA office at (217) 466-3180.