PUTNAM COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) — The Emergency Management Agency and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office will begin using a new emergency warning system next week.
The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, is a nationwide emergency notification network that allows local officials to send emergency alerts directly to cellphones.
Putnam County officials say the system can be used for emergencies such as severe weather, hazardous materials incidents and missing person cases.
Residents do not have to sign up to receive IPAWS alerts.
Emergency management officials say that will help them reach more people quickly when every second counts.
"I think it's going to be greatly beneficial because we've always had issues in the past of getting that notification out. We used to have CodeRED that we've had for many, many years, but you had to sign up for that. But with IPAWS, you'll get it automatically now," said Brian Hilvers, director of the Putnam County Office of Public Safety.
Officials are also encouraging residents to download the Putnam County Sheriff's Office app for additional emergency information, alerts and other public safety resources.
