Jefferson County launches new emergency alert system for wildfires

BOULDER, Mont. — Jefferson County Emergency Management (JCEM) announced a new mass notification system as wildfire season moves ahead in Jefferson County.

The county said Everbridge replaced its previous alert platform and asked people to sign up for a free account through the county website. The account option lets people choose how they get alerts and which topics they want to follow.

People who used the county’s older system were transferred to the new platform, according to the announcement. Even so, the county recommended creating an account to update notification settings and delivery methods.

The county also offers a text-only option for people who do not want to create an account. Officials said people can text 51MTALERT to 888777 to get incident alerts and could text STOP to 888777 to opt out.

According to JCEM, the text option sends all incident notifications to every subscriber. Everbridge accounts can send more detailed updates that may be tailored to a person’s location.

Alerts may include highway crashes or blockages, prescribed burn information, major law enforcement activity and other major incidents in Jefferson County.

The county also urged people not to call 911 for updates during major incidents unless they had an emergency. Officials said public calls for information can overwhelm dispatch centers and affect communication with first responders.

JCEM said people who live outside the county can still sign up, but their alerts are limited to incidents affecting Jefferson County. The county also encouraged people outside Jefferson County to check with their own local jurisdiction for notification options.

People who need help signing up could call Jefferson County’s Office of Emergency Management at 406-225-4035, according to the announcement.