NotifyMeHoward

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Over the past few years, Howard County, Maryland, has grown to become one of the most wired communities in the nation, and technology has played an increasingly important role in creating open dialogue between residents and officials to help strengthen County operations, programs, and services. Within the past two years, the Mid-Atlantic not only experienced record snowfall, but local communities also muscled through an earthquake, hurricane, and tropical storm. Keeping the public informed of emergency alerts, preparedness tips and recovery efforts was and continues to be a high priority of the county. In an effort to proactively reach residents during weather-related incidents or other emergencies, Howard County Government launched NotifyMeHoward (NMH) in November 2011. NMH is a free community notification system that is capable of delivering emergency alerts and a wide variety of valuable information, including local weather, incidents and special events occurring specifically in Howard County, directly to the inbox or mobile device of subscribers. NMH has the ability to convert a text message to voice and send to a landline or cell phone, and it also integrates with FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. NMH also enables the County to geo-target specific community addresses. This program has been a great success for the county. Through this program, county residents and local governments can be more prepared for any storm, reducing damages and losses.