VT-Alert

The Town of Hartford now utilizes the Vermont Alert Emergency Notification System (VT-Alert).  

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Register with VT-Alert.

About VT-Alert

The system can issue alerts about pending disasters, weather conditions, traffic and road issues, public health notifications, and countless other issues or events that could affect Vermonters or their loved ones.

Vermont Alert (http://vtalert.gov) is a free service for users. It allows the public to sign up for and receive notifications through a number of delivery systems such as text, e-mail, telephone, or game console. Users will create accounts, chose their local area, select what types of alerts they wish to receive, and identify which delivery system they wish to use to receive those notifications.

Vermont Alert is hosted and maintained by the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, but is available to emergency responders state-wide for use in alerting people in their local jurisdictions.

How can it be used?

VTALERT.GOV is a web-based system that provides a portal by which information can be disseminated by state and local authorities to the public, including schools and colleges, state, local, and federal government, and first responders.

There are many great examples of how VTAlert can be used in different scenarios:

Scenario #1: There is a large structure fire in a downtown.

The local fire department can write and distribute a press release through VT Alert. It can then contact the public directly with an evacuation notice (phone, text, or email), issue a travel alert for motorists to avoid the area, and alert the public of any public health hazards from smoke.

Scenario #2: A wildfire is burning.

Nearby towns can issue evacuation orders and notify residents in the affected area directly (via phone, text, or email). Press releases can be written and distributed through Vermont Alert, and the National Weather Service can issue an Air Quality warning if the fire warrants such a notification.

Scenario #3: An accident on Interstate-91 is blocking the road.

The State Police can write and distribute a press release regarding the accident. The Agency of Transportation can issue a travel advisory and outline alternate routes. VTrans can then notify the public when the road has re-opened.

Scenario #4: A tropical storm is occurring in Vermont.

In the state Emergency Operations Center, VT DEMHS and partners can use VTAlert to post alerts and updates, including Emergency Alert System messages, press releases, and special notifications regarding conditions, state road closures, health alerts, and locations of emergency shelters. VTAlert can then auto-populate social media with any of this information, and re-post National Weather Service storm watches and warnings. At the same time, local communities can also issue evacuation warnings and post local road closures and public health alerts through the system. In the aftermath of the storm, the state and federal government can post notifications about disaster aid to individuals and communities.

Questions

Questions should be directed to Scott Smith, Emergency Communications Center Director, at 802-280-1001.