News Summary

HAMILTON — Butler County Emergency Management officials say their internal and external emergency communication capabilities have been bolstered by new technology enabling the agency to distribute critical information to numerous audiences in a split-second.

The new program, which cost the county roughly $42,000, operates similar to a reverse 911 system, sending out up to 24 phone, fax, e-mail or text messages at once and cycling through them to contact large numbers of people, according to EMA Director William Turner.

The EMA is making the technology available to all six dispatch centers in county, as well as Miami University and the Butler County Water Department.

"Whether we are working in a normal or crisis environment, our commitment to keeping the lines of communication open remains a top priority," Turner said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.