The average American spends seven hours per day looking at a screen; over three of those are on a phone.
Text messaging, or SMS (Short Message Service), has evolved significantly since its inception in the early 1990s. Initially, text messaging was only available on GSM cellular networks and was limited to 160 characters per message. However, with the advent of smartphones and the proliferation of the mobile internet, text messaging has become an integral part of daily communication. Today, text messaging can be done through a variety of platforms, including SMS, instant messaging apps, and social media. Additionally, text messaging has evolved to include multimedia elements such as images, videos, and emojis, making it more interactive and expressive. With the rise of 5G networks, text messaging will continue to evolve, with faster delivery and more capabilities.
Local governments will be one industry to benefit from this faster delivery and higher capabilities.
An example of local government text alerts
In a small town, the local government had just input a new emergency alert system able to send out text messages to all the residents whenever there was a natural disaster or other emergency situation.
Not too long after, a severe thunderstorm hit the town, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain. The power went out, and many of the roads were flooded, making it difficult for people to get around.
As the storm raged on, the local government sent out a text alert warning residents to stay indoors and avoid driving unless it was absolutely necessary. The proactive part about this particular municipality is that it also included information on where to find shelters and how to stay safe during the storm.
Thanks to the quick thinking of the local government and the effectiveness of the emergency alert system, the residents of the town were able to stay safe and informed throughout the storm. The text alerts helped to prevent any serious injuries or damage, and the town was able to recover quickly once the storm passed.
From then on, the emergency alert system became an invaluable tool for the leaders, helping them keep the community safe and informed in times of crisis.
Different channels for local government alerts
Text vs email
Text alerts are a quick and effective way for local governments to communicate important information to their residents in the event of an emergency or other urgent situation. In contrast, emails can often be delayed or blocked by spam filters, making them a less reliable form of communication.
Text alerts are also more likely to be noticed and read immediately, as most people keep their phones with them at all times and are more likely to see a text message notification. With email, there’s a greater chance that the message will be missed or not seen until later, which can be problematic in an emergency situation where timely communication is crucial.
In addition, text alerts can reach a wider audience, as they can be sent to both smartphones and basic cell phones. This is especially important in areas where not everyone has access to a computer or the internet.
Overall, text alerts offer a reliable, fast, and far-reaching means of communication for a municipality. In the case of an emergency, seconds can make a difference, and text alerts provide a valuable tool for keeping the community informed and safe.
Text vs social media
There are several reasons why a local government should use text message alerts over social media alerts in the event of an emergency or other urgent situation.
First and foremost, text message alerts are more reliable than social media alerts. While social media platforms can experience outages or other technical issues, text messages are less likely to be disrupted. Text message alerts also have a higher delivery rate, as they do not rely on an internet connection and can be received on both smartphones and basic cell phones.
Another advantage of text message alerts is that they are more likely to be seen and acted upon immediately. Most people keep their phones with them at all times and are more likely to see a text message notification than a social media notification.
In addition, text message alerts offer a more targeted means of communication. Local governments can send text messages to specific groups or individuals, rather than broadcasting information to a potentially large and diverse audience on social media.
Overall, text message alerts offer a reliable and targeted means of communication for local governments in times of emergency or urgency.
Software options for local government text alerts
Alertus
Alertus allows local governments to send text messages, emails, and voice messages to large groups of people.
Everbridge
Everbridge also allows local governments to send text messages, emails, and voice messages to large groups of people.
Blackboard Connect
Blackboard Connect is another solution that allows local governments to send text messages, emails, and voice messages to large groups of people.
CivicPlus
CivicReady – you guessed it – allows local governments to send text messages, emails, and voice messages to large groups of people
Granicus
GovDelivery allows local governments to send text messages, emails, and voice messages to large groups of people.