City-Wide Notifynow Test Successful, Residents Becoming More Familiar With Sign-up Process
The December 7, 2016 notifynow TEST message sent by the City of Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) was a success based on the feedback from residents and the system data generated. Fewer residents called back to ask questions about what the TEST was about. This indicates that residents are becoming much more familiar with the notifynow messaging system, and that they know they can customize how they prefer to receive important safety messages from notifynow.
“Most residents that called in after yesterday’s TEST message wanted to learn more about how to log in and how to customize their notifynow profile, they wanted to tell us how they’d best like to be contacted,” says Deb Davies, Emergency Measures Coordinator. “Residents are recognizing that in the event of a wide scale emergency or one affecting only their neighbourhood, they might prefer a text message, and an email in addition to receiving a notifynow message to their land line. Or maybe they want to make sure their children receive a text message. That’s what great about this system, people can tell notifynow how best to contact them, and they can sign-up communication device preferences for their family members too.”
To date, 20, 072 residents have signed up with notifynow to indicate their preferred communication method, how they want to be contacted by notifynow so they’ll know what to do, where to go, and what to expect in an impending, escalating, or even immediately occurring emergency situation in Saskatoon. This is an increase of 5,412 residents since the last notifynow TEST held May 5, 2016. With the twice-yearly testing of the notifynow system, and by creating ongoing awareness for the notifynow system, the City and the Emergency Measures Organization hope to continue to grow this number.
“One of the goals for our semi-annual notifynow testing is to familiarize residents with what a notifynow message will sound like, and how it will be displayed on their phones or on the preferred method of communication they’ve let us know about by signing up,” says Davies. “Testing also helps residents know that a timely and targeted notifynow message is legitimate - and should be trusted.”
The EMO continues to encourage everyone in Saskatoon to sign up for notifynow. Persons with publicly listed phone numbers are automatically included in the notifynow database. However, if you would like to receive your notifynow message notifications for more than one address, like your child’s school or parent’s residence, or if you would like to customize the way you receive notifications via email, cell phone or text message, then you need to sign up and provide that information.
notifynow should play a very important component in everyone’s emergency preparedness plan. The ability to receive timely emergency communications is critical to persons with hearing or speech difficulties. To receive accessible notifynow messages, sign-up and enter up to two different TTY electronic device methods for text communication via telephone.
The notifynow emergency notification system supports the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Goals of Continuous Improvement and Quality of Life; we leverage technology to serve and connect with citizens, and keep health and safety a top priority in all that we do.
To sign-up for notifynow and to tell us how to best to reach you with timely, targeted and trusted notifynow messages in an emergency situation, visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow or call 306-975-3210 for more information.