NYC OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED FOR NOTIFY NYC

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today announced more than 50,000 people have signed up for Notify NYC, the City’s emergency public messaging system, since the program’s citywide launch in May 2009.

Notify NYC subscribers receive messages about emergency events and important City services by e-mail, SMS/text, and recorded telephone calls. Registration is free via NYC.gov/notifynyc or by calling 311.

Since the beginning of the year, Notify NYC has expanded to include a number of new message types. In January, Notify NYC added emergency notifications at New York City public schools. These notifications now allow parents to receive real-time information affecting their children during the school day. In April, Notify NYC began missing person notifications for senior citizens and children. As part of that expansion, Notify NYC subscribers are automatically alerted when the AMBER alert system is activated, or when the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) issues a Missing Child/College Student Alert. This summer, Notify NYC also added beach closure and West Nile Virus spraying notifications through the Health Department.

Notify NYC launched citywide in May 2009 after a year-long pilot program. Residents in all five boroughs can register either an e-mail address, text message account, or phone number for up to five zip codes to receive Notify NYC advisories about emergencies and special events.

For more information about Notify NYC or to register, visit www.nyc.gov/notifynyc.