City Of Newport Launching New Emergency Alert System

NEWPORT, RI — The City of Newport is launching a new emergency alert system for residents. The Rave Alert system will replace the current CodeRed system that has been in place since 2011.

The new alert system is set to launch on October 6. The state-of-the-art communication platform allows the city to send out messages across multiple platforms including text, email, voice, RSSS, social media and connects with federal emergency alert systems, the city said in a release. Rave Alert is compatible with 48 languages, allowing residents to receive alerts in their native or preferred language.

"As a seasonal, and even daily, destination for millions of visitors each year, Newport’s population is in constant flux," Newport Fire Chief Brian Dugan said. "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."

The system is already in place in communities across the country including Boston, including here in Rhode Island, where Slave Regina University, The University of Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island all use it in their emergency communications networks.

Before the multi-day gas outage on Aquidneck Island in January, the city had already begin to consider new emergency alert options, the release continued.

"That event offered specific examples of areas where the City lacked the flexibility and capability required to address urgent and comprehensive notifications," city officials said. "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."

Newport residents will also have the opportunity to sign up for Smart911, a "fully customizable and personal emergency management account" that is designed for mobile use. Users can connect their home and work addresses to their cell phones and add information such as emergency contacts, any special needs and whether there are pets inside a home.

"The benefits of sharing this type of information during an emergency are immeasurable," Chief Dugan continued. "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."

Dugan will present the new system to the Newport City Council on September 11 ahead of a city-wide test on September 17, when the city will also launch new accounts on NextDoor and Twitter.

Rave Alert will use existing data already in the city's system. To make sure contact information is correct, residents and business owners are asked to sign up for the service directly. The Smart911 app is available to download online.