SIGN-UP TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY ALERTS

 HARRISBURG, APRIL 29 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that individuals and families now have the option of receiving emergency alerts on their e-mails, cell phones, PDAs or other e-mail enabled devices through the ReadyNotifyPA public warning system.

 "Being in the loop when it comes to emergency announcements in the Philadelphia region – including emergency alerts, weather warnings, transportation delays and crime information – is as simple as visiting a Web site and choosing your county of residence," Williams said. "Once you sign-up for ReadyNotifyPA, you will begin to receive up-to-the-minute emergency alerts. Signing up is free. Being informed during times of crisis is invaluable."

 The Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force launched ReadyNotifyPA in early April. It is a five-county warning system and an important part of the region's emergency preparedness public education program, Ready Region. Ready Region empowers people to prepare for emergencies.

 Once people subscribe to ReadyNotifyPA they will receive emergency alerts. Individuals also may choose to receive other alerts, such as for severe weather, transportation delays and crime information.

 "You can control the type of alerts that you will receive," Williams said. "I credit the regional task force for working to not only provide a regional safety network, but also to find new avenues to keep the public informed. The sooner you know about any type of emergency, the better you can prepare yourself and your family to weather it."

 ReadyNotifyPA is available to people who live in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. While alerts are free, cellular providers may charge for text messaging.

 For more information or to sign-up for ReadyNotifyPA visit www.ReadyNotifyPA.org.