Portage County Emergency Alerting

Emergency Alerting, The Who? The What? The Why?

The ability to alert the public is an essential cornerstone to any emergency management program. Emergency Alerting dates as far back to the Civil Defense era of disaster management and even earlier. As technology has increased, so have emergency alerting protocols.

Portage County utilizes an online based software program through Inspiron Logistics called WENS or Wireless Emergency Notification System. Inspiron Logistics, an Ohio based company, is a partner with FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System or IPAWS. IPAWS is an alerting program that integrates the nations alerting capabilities that includes but not limited to, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and NOAA weather radio emergency alerts.  The integration of these platforms allows local alerting officials (County and municipal officials), the ability to send that dire needed emergency message when the situation arises.

Currently, A host of municipalities and townships have separate emergency notification systems that the citizens need to enroll in. To see these, please visit to the Portage County EMA App or visit your local municipal webpage. Portage County has two alerting officials authorized by statute to send EAS messages; the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Management Agency. Wireless emergency alerts that go directly to your cell phone are issued by local alerting officials in the PCSO and EMA. Weather warnings are the responsibility of the NWS Cleveland in our area and will not be issued locally.

What to Expect?

In the event an emergency alert is issued, whether through wireless or EAS broadcast to radio or television, our public safety officials insist that you take the actions requested in the alert. Wireless emergency alerts are currently limited to 90 characters and will be short, direct and specific. In the event of an alert, take the action that is requested and tune in to local media for further information. While we use discretion on appropriate alerting, they can be issued at any time, day or night.

Tornado Sirens 101

In Portage County, only a handful of municipalities have tornado sirens. Tornado Sirens, while nostalgic and widely known by everyone are strictly for outdoor warning only. They are not meant to be the only means of receiving alerts, especially indoors. In the event of a tornado siren activation, seek immediate shelter and tune into additonal outlets for further details i.e. radio, weather radio or television. Monthly tests in Ohio usually begin in the March to April timeframe, so reach out to your local community for testing times. Local Police Department dispatch typically activate tornado sirens for your community. If repetitive alerts are issued in a test or real event, the second siren activation is an all clear notification.

For further information please contact the Emergency Management Office at 330-297-3607