Pottstown switching to new emergency notification system

POTTSTOWN — The Pottstown Borough and Authority will transition from its current emergency alert system to a new system called ReadyMontco, as of Jan. 1, 2023.

The transition to the new emergency alert system will enhance residents’ awareness of emergencies and events around them, according to a press release issued by Authority Manager Justin Keller.

The new system implements multiple ways to receive alerts such as text, cell phone calls, landline calls, email, and push notifications. It is free, but if you are receiving alerts through text, data rates may apply. This system allows for an efficient way of communicating emergencies, unlike the previous system that solely used landlines as the primary method of communication.

Landlines are automatically included in ReadyMontco reverse 911 emergency alerts and therefore they do not require registration through ReadyMontco. If you have previously registered for emergency alerts through our website (e‐mail) or registered your cell phone number with the borough and want to continue receiving emergency alerts, you will have to register again.

Register through the link found in the news and announcements section of the Borough’s homepage at www.pottstown.org/ or directly at https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612338/login.

If residents would prefer, they can also register through the mobile app named Everbridge. Just make sure if registering on the mobile app use the keyword Montgomery and click the one that specifies Montgomery County, PA.

If you are a Pottstown Borough Authority customer, it will benefit you to sign up for these notifications regardless of if you are inside or outside of the borough, as they will be used for boil water notices. The Borough of Pottstown will not use any of the information that you provided other than the sole purpose of getting the information out to you as emergency situations arise such as boil water notices, road closures, flooding, etc.

Registering is simple and will only take about two minutes.

The first step that must be completed is creating an account. Once that is complete, you must fill out your location information and verify the address. Then you will add your preferred contact information such as primary text number, primary call number, and email address.

Once that is complete it will let you fill in alternate telephone numbers and email addresses such as a business phone or other secondary contact.  Next, it will prompt you that everything is filled out and complete. The next step is filling out what kind of notifications best suit you. The alert subscriptions will let you select emergency alerts based on geographical area(s) within Montgomery County. For example, if you want alerts for only the Borough of Pottstown, you will click the Pottstown Borough box.

The last step is the additional information step. This step is especially important for individuals who are disabled. It is thorough and tailored to the individual so that emergency responders understand what needs must be met in case of an emergency. It will ask to specify the type of disability (vision, hearing, cognitive, etc.), then it will ask if you use any mobility devices, service animals, or medical devices, and finally if you need transportation if evacuated.

The system overall is customizable to your specific needs and helpful in times of emergency for the emergency responders to know who to assist and how to assist them. The overall goal of this system is for residents to be aware and ready in times of emergency and be able to customize how they can best be informed and prepared.

“Emergency safety and situational awareness are top priorities for the Borough. ReadyMontco advances our ongoing commitment to provide effective communication methods that are customizable to meet the evolving needs of our citizens,” Keller said. “I strongly encourage all citizens not to wait and sign up for this critically important service now to ensure they are prepared in the event of future emergencies.”