The city of Columbus has renewed a contract to provide emergency notifications in partnership with Bartholomew County.
The Columbus Board of Works voted to approve a three-year contract with Everbridge on Wednesday. The total annual cost, which is shared between the city and county, is $27,883.96, said City Director of Administration and Community Development Mary Ferdon.
“It’s increase of $1,327.81 over three years,” she said. “The city pays 59%, the county pays 41% on an annual basis, and that is for the Everbridge emergency services.”
The Everbridge alert system allows Columbus and Bartholomew County agencies to send residents information about events and emergencies.
The contract also includes SMARTWeather alerts, Ferdon said.
The system is typically used in the event of severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuation of buildings or neighborhoods, according to Everbridge.
Those who sign up receive time-sensitive messages to the individual’s preference, whether it be to a home, cell phone or business phone, or by email, text messages or devices for the hearing impaired.
City and county residents can sign up to receive alerts by going to columbus.in.gov and clicking “sign up for emergency alerts,” calling 812-379-1500 or emailing [email protected]. It is a free service to those who sign up.
