×

Residents can utilize access to Swift911

The Aug. 15 shooting in Hancock County left one dead, four injured and a community rattled. While an investigation continues, officials have reminded residents of the county’s use of Swiftreach Networks as an emergency notification system in an effort to provide more reliable and effective communication.

This is a practical and perhaps critical tool for any person to have access to in times of emergencies. Swift911, officials said, is a system designed to make phone calls to specific people or areas during an emergency.

Hancock County Emergency Management uses the system to notify residents by phone, text message and email of emergency information.

Messages sent by the system may include information such as nuclear power plant accidents, floods, fires, water emergencies, road closures, missing persons, evacuation orders and weather emergencies. And, yes, shootings.

To sign up for Swift911, Hancock County residents may either text “SWIFT911” to 99538 on their mobile device, or go online to Swift.hanwv.org and click on the “Register SWIFT911” link and follow the prompts.

The Swiftreach Network data has been provided by a third party and only includes listed phone numbers in Hancock County. Residents and business owners are advised to provide additional contact information, including unlisted, unpublished or cellphone numbers to ensure information can be provided.

With all the apps and cyber outlets out there, this is one that we would recommend every Hancock County with the ability to download to do just that.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today