Nova Scotia government contracts new emergency alert app
The Nova Scotia government has contracted an Alberta company to help improve the emergency alert system in the province.
The Emergency Management Department awarded Alertable a $1-million, untendered contract for a new app on March 25. The government has the ability to sign deals without open calls for bids in certain situations.
A department spokesperson said there is no other provider that can deliver the option.
"The vendor specializes in emergency alerting, successfully developing similar solutions in Saskatchewan and Alberta for about 10 years," Patricia Jreige said in an email.
"More information on the app will come soon."
According to the Alertable website, the company's mass notification software allows messages to be sent to a variety of social media platforms, as well as by text message, phone call and email.
Some municipalities in Nova Scotia, including the Town of Digby and Town of Yarmouth, already use the company's software for notices about traffic disruptions, public meetings and other advisories. The Annapolis Regional Emergency Management Organization also uses the app.
There have been ongoing questions and concerns about emergency alerts in Nova Scotia in the face of natural disasters and a mass shooting in recent years.
Alerts were delayed by several hours during fatal floods in the Annapolis Valley in 2023. There were also concerns about how emergency alerts were used during wildfires in Halifax Regional Municipality that same year.
during the mass shootings that started in Portapique in 2020, leaving 22 people dead over a two-day period. The force relied instead on social media to provide updates.
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