Portage County Emergency Alerting

Emergency Alerts:

The ability to alert the public is essential for the function of any emergency management program. This alerting is done through a series of software programs all utilized by the PC EMA.

Phone Alerts

Portage County uses an online based software called WENS, the Wireless Emergency Notification System. WENS is paired with FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System or IPAWS. The IPAWS alerting program integrates the nations alerting capabilities, including the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and NOAA weather radio emergency alerts. It’s important to remember that a host of municipalities and townships have separate emergency notification systems that residents may have to enroll in. To learn more about signing up for your community's alerts contact your local police or fire department.

Tornado Sirens

In the event of a tornado warning, Portage County communities have utilize outdoor warning sirens will activate their audible alarms. Should you hear this audible sound, seek immediate shelter and seek further information from a number of sources such as local news outlets and any other emergency alerts that may be sent out.