By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
There’s a new tool to help Chatham-Kent residents stay safe.
Officially launched at the Mar. 3 council meeting, CKAlert will keep residents apprised of emergency conditions or threatening weather. The voluntary system allows residents to sign up for texts, emails or phone calls to let them know how to prepare in real time.
“An extremely easy and convenient way for residents to receive emergency notifications,” C-K corporate communications director Eric Labadie said of the new tool. “We are always concerned about reaching as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time possible.”
Various topics are covered under CKAlert, including flooding, boil water advisories, emergency bridge closures, and more. Unlike the Federal Alert Ready system, Chatham-Kent residents will not receive notifications unless they sign up for the service.
Labadie said that one of the highlights of the system is that its technology allows officials to pinpoint affected areas and warn those residents specifically.
“We are able to geo-locate the exact places and send information to just those residents,” he explained, noting the system allows people to get information first-hand rather than through a neighbour or social media.
“You can get it directly from us, a trusted and reliable source, right to the device of your choosing.”
Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue Chief Chris Case offered kudos to Labadie for bringing the system online a month ahead of schedule in preparation for the potential of flooding risks.
Residents can visit ckalert.ca or go to the municipality’s website to sign up. The service is free for the next five years thanks to provincial funding secured by Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue.
