Report it! Newport
Calendars
Staff Directory
Bids and RFPs
RESIDENTS
Construction Updates
GIS Mapping
Quick Links
Pay Your Taxes
Sign up for Emergency Alerts
Tax Rates
Parking Stickers
Vital Records
Marriage Licenses
Civic Life
Boards & Commissions
City Council
Elections
Community Resources
Newport Public Library
Edward King House Senior Center
Newport Public Schools
Veterans Resources
Report a Complaint
Noise Complaints
Newport Outdoors!
Parking & Transportation
City Parking Lots
Metered Parking
Parking Violation Review
Resident Parking Program
Real Estate Information
Tax Rates
Tax Assessor's Office
Property Records
Request a Final Water Reading
Building, Zoning & Inspections
Flood Safe Newport
Trash & Recycling Information
Programs
Recycling
Trash & Yard Waste Calendar
Recreation
Adult & Youth Leagues & Organizations
Concerts in King Park
Park Calendar
Register
Sponsorship and Donations
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Registration
Our Facilities
Park Rentals
Park Rental Fees
Volunteering
Living in History
Historic District Commission
Historic District Maps & Bounds
Newport's Historic District Ordinance
Enjoying Newport Harbor
Harbor Amenities
Mooring Waiting List
Newport Harbor Shuttle
Newport Maritime Center
Providence-Newport Ferry
Newport Water Division
BUSINESSES
Applications, Licenses & Permits
Business Registration
Entertainment License
Guest House & Hotel Registration Form
Holiday Selling Application
Second Hand License Application
Sidewalk Cafe License Application
Tattooing License
Tree Permit
Victualing License Application Procedure
Film & TV Production
Newport Film Protocol Form
Host an Event
Apply for a Special Event License
Rent the Rotunda Ballroom
Explore Innovate Newport
Business Resources
Innovate Newport
Connect Greater Newport
Newport County Chamber of Commerce
Real Estate Information
Tax Rates
Tax Assessor's Office
Property Records
Request a Final Water Reading
Building, Zoning & Inspections
Flood Safe Newport
Work Here
Employment Opportunities
Explore Innovate Newport
Bid Opportunities
Invest Here
Planning & Economic Development
Innovate Newport
Arts and Entertainment District
Comprehensive Plan
Age Friendly Newport
KeepNewportMoving
Newport Health Equity Zone
Reval
Property Records
VISITORS
Getting to Newport
Getting To Newport
Parking Guide
Hike the Cliff Walk
Points of Interest
Parking & Access Points
Explore Our Parks & Open Spaces
Easton's Beach
Bath Houses
Beach Jobs
Beach Parking
Carousel & Beach Bounce
Lifeguards & Safety
Rotunda Ballroom
Special Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Getting Around Newport
City Parking Lots
Newport Harbor Shuttle
Providence-Newport Ferry
Ride RIPTA
Parking Guide
Harbor Amenities
Newport Maritime Center
Getting Married in Newport
Marriage Licenses
Rotunda Ballroom
Ballroom Rental Rates
Park Rentals
Vital Records
Newport Maritime Center
Visitor Resources
Discover Newport
Newport Out
VisitRI.gov
GOVERNMENT
Boards & Commissions
Boards and Commission Application
Boards
Planning Board
Zoning Board of Review
Tax Appeal Board
Authorities
Commissions
Beach Commission
Cliff Walk Commission
Energy and Environment Commission
Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission
Historic District Commission
Tree and Open Space Commission
Trust and Investment Commission
Waterfront Commission
City Charter & Ordinances
City Initiatives
AIBC
American Rescue Plan Act
HousingSurvey
PoliceChiefSurvey
KeepNewportMoving
CommunitySurvey
Language Access
PoliceChiefSurvey
City Manager Survey
Strategic Plan
PoliceChiefSurvey
Newport Counts
Spring Park Traffic Test
Age Friendly Newport
Community TV
Real Estate Information
Tax Rates
Tax Assessor's Office
Property Records
Request a Final Water Reading
Building, Zoning & Inspections
Flood Safe Newport
Trash & Recycling Information
Programs
Recycling
Trash & Yard Waste Calendar
City Council
Council Dockets
Councilor Bios
Mayor
Fireworks
Departments
Canvassing
City Clerk
City Manager
Information Technology
Planning & Economic Development
Finance
Fire
Harbor Master
Human Resources
Building, Zoning & Inspections
Police
Public Services
Utilities
Newport Water Division
I Want To...
Apply For
A Special Detail Request
A Bare Root Tree
A Job with the City
A Memorial Bench
A Position on a Board or Commission
Curb Cut or Excavation Permit
Electrical Permit
Building Permit
Business Application or License
Excavation Permit
Marriage License
Plumbing Permit
Residential Parking Permit
Special Event License
Victualing License
Sign Up/Register
Emergency Alerts
For a Recreation Program
Contact
Mayor's Office
My City Councilor
City Directory
Discover Health & Wellness Resources
Boys & Girls Club
MLK Community Center
Newport County YMCA
Newport Health Equity Zone
Newport Hospital
Newport Recreation
Bike Newport
Request
Absentee Ballot Request
Proposals, Bids & Price Quotes
Public Information
Find Visitor Information
Discover Newport
Order
Birth Certificate
Death Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Access Community Support Resources
Church Community Housing
East Bay Community Action Program
Edward King House Senior Center
MLK Community Center
Farmer's Market
James L. Maher Center
Newport County Veterans Affairs
Salvation Army
Women's Resource Center
Explore Educational Opportunities
Newport School Department
Newport Public Library
Community College of Rhode Island
Salve Regina University
Redwood Library
Do Business in Newport
Connect Greater Newport
Innovate Newport
Newport County Chamber of Commerce
View
City Council Agendas
City Ordinances
City Council Meetings Online
Street Sweeping Schedule
Yard Waste & Holiday Calendar
City News
Parking Information
Learn More About
City Charter
Park Rentals
Recreation Programming
Recycling & Trash Info
Short-Term Rentals
Renting the Rotunda Ballroom
Tax Assessor's Database
The Bare Root Tree Program
The Memorial Bench Program
Pay
Beach Sticker & Permits
Electrical/Building/Plumbing Fees
My Utility Bill
Parking Tickets
Recreation Registration Fees
Taxes
Explore Newport via GIS
Upcoming Meetings
Report It Newport
Search for:
Home
>
2019
>
September
>
City to Introduce new Emergency Alert System
City to Introduce new Emergency Alert System
Friday, September 6, 2019
System Test Planned for Tuesday, Sept. 17
th
NEWPORT, R.I.
(
Friday, September 6, 2019)
– Newport’s emergency management operators will have a pair of new tools at their disposal beginning later this month.
As part of the City’s ongoing effort to improve its emergency preparedness and response capabilities, the City of Newport will be transitioning to a new emergency notification system designed to significantly enhance the City’s ability to communicate with residents, businesses, and visitors in the event of an emergency.
Beginning in October, the City will be deploying Rave Alert, a state-of-the-art emergency notification system developed by Rave Mobile Safety as a replacement to the existing CodeRed alert system first introduced to Newporters in 2011.
The new Rave Alert system embraces contemporary communications modes in a feature-rich technology platform that tightly integrates alerts through any number of methods in real-time, including Text, Email, Voice, RSS, Social Media, as well as interfaces to Federal Emergency Alert systems and ancillary support systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch and GIS. In addition, the system supports automatic translation to 48 languages so that recipients can be notified in their native language and offers in-depth reporting to analyze community engagement.
“As a seasonal, and even daily, destination for millions of visitors each year, Newport’s population is in constant flux,” explained Fire Chief Brian Dugan. “That can pose a number of challenges from an emergency management standpoint, especially in keeping both residents and visitors informed of developing situations. This new system offers us a tool kit that we haven’t had before and we’re excited to be rolling it out to the community.”
In addition to Rave Alert, which will serve as the City’s general mass notification tool, residents will also be able to sign up for Smart911, a fully customizable and personal emergency management account specifically designed for mobile users.
With Smart911, individuals can link both homes and work addresses to mobile phones, which can be passed on to first responders for more a detailed, rapid response. Additional information such as whether there are any pets in the home, a list of any special needs, and additional emergency contacts can all be included in a Safety Profile. All information is optional, and the citizen has the ability to choose what details they would like to include.
“The benefits of sharing this type of information during an emergency are immeasurable”, explained Chief Dugan. “Mobile phones do not provide an address to the 9-1-1 call taker. These emergency situations are often the worse of a person's life, and the Safety Profile can speak for you when you might be unable.”
Prior to the Gas Outage experienced in January 2019, the City had begun to review its options for a more comprehensive solution for Emergency and Mass Notifications.
That event offered specific examples of areas where the City lacked the flexibility and capability required to address urgent and comprehensive notifications. Since that time, and with the support of our first responder departments, the City has researched and tested a number of alternate technologies in order to upgrade our Emergency Alert system.
Dugan will be presenting the new system to the City Council at their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. A City-wide test will follow on Tuesday, Sept. 17 in concert with the launch of a pair of new Social Media accounts that will bring an official City presence to Nextdoor and Twitter (@CityofNPT), which has been utilized effectively by the City’s Police Department since November 2012.
Rave Alert is already in place in a large number of institutions nationally, and closer to home, is a vital component of emergency management communications at the Salve Regina University, the University of Rhode Island, CCRI, and the City of Boston.
While the new system will draw upon existing available data, in order to ensure that contact information is as up to date as possible, the City is urging all residents and business owners to sign up directly for the new system by visiting
www.CityofNewport.com/Alerts
. Users can also download the Smart911 app on their smartphones, by searching for “Smart911” in your mobile app store or by texting “Smart911” to 67283 to receive the download link via text message.