PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has launched a new emergency alert system to keep citizens apprised of severe weather, fires, floods, toxic environmental issues and in-progress violent crimes, Clallam County Emergency Management program coordinator Penny Linterman announced.
The Clallam County Alert System will replace Nixle, the previous alert system.
The emergency management division of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office will send alerts through both systems until citizens have had adequate time to make the transition, Linterman said.
To register for the new free system, visit clallam.net/Sheriff or www.cityofpa.us/police911.htm.
The Clallam County Alert System sends citizen alerts to thousands of businesses and residents within minutes of an emergency.
Linterman said Everbridge, the company providing the service, is an industry leader in interactive communication and mass notifications.
The alerts can be sent to a cellphone, landline, email, text message, fax, pager or other device.
“We have a commitment to protect our citizens from any danger that threatens our community,” Linterman said.
“The ability to reach all residents quickly during an emergency in order to warn them and provide guidance is critical to upholding that commitment, which is why we selected this system.”
The new alert system was used to send a message to residents surrounding the scene of a stabbing Thursday night off Deer Park Road, Linterman said.
Calls began to come in to the 9-1-1 dispatch center just after the message was sent, aiding in the quick arrest of 21-year-old Nikolai Logan.
Logan allegedly stabbed Douglas Baker, 60, who was treated and discharged from Olympic Medical Center.