New City, NY – Rockland County has launched a new Emergency Management App designed to give residents access to emergency alerts, preparedness information and other public safety resources from a single location.
County Executive Ed Day and Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services Director Chris Kear announced the new app on Aug. 12. County officials said the free smartphone application is intended to help residents prepare for emergencies, receive information during an emergency and access resources during the recovery process.
The app provides preparedness tips, videos and checklists covering steps residents can take before an emergency occurs. It also includes information on power outages, traffic and roadway conditions, and real-time weather updates.
Residents can use the app to locate warming and cooling centers during periods of extreme temperatures. The app also provides access to Rockland County’s Access and Functional Needs Registry, which allows eligible residents to register information that may assist emergency personnel in planning for and responding to disasters.
Another feature allows residents to report damage following a disaster. County officials said bringing these resources together in one application is intended to make emergency information easier to find when residents need it.
“Emergencies can occur without warning, and ensuring preparedness is the most important first step,” Day said in announcing the program. He said the county’s goal is to make the latest information from the Rockland County Emergency Management Division readily available to residents.
Kear said the app is designed to function as a central source of emergency information and resources. According to the county, the system is intended to be useful during all three major stages of an emergency: preparation, response and recovery.
Emergency preparedness can involve a range of situations, including severe weather, prolonged power outages, hazardous road conditions and periods of extreme heat or cold. By consolidating information that previously may have required residents to consult multiple sources, the county is seeking to provide a more direct way for smartphone users to find official information.
The app’s traffic, weather and power outage features can help residents assess current conditions, while preparedness materials are intended to help households plan before an emergency develops. Information about warming and cooling centers can also provide residents with locations where they may seek relief during dangerous temperature conditions.
The Access and Functional Needs Registry component is intended to assist residents who may require additional support during an emergency. The county’s inclusion of disaster damage reporting also gives residents a way to provide information following an incident as local officials assess its effects.
County officials described the app as a single source for emergency management information rather than requiring residents to search separately for preparedness, response and recovery resources.
The Rockland County Emergency Management App is available free of charge for smartphones. Residents can find it by searching for “Rockland County Emergency Management” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
The county has also released a video explaining the application and its features. Additional emergency management information and county announcements are available through Rockland County’s official government website.