Elkins Launches New Emergency Notification System

Elkins W. Va., March 20, 2024: The City of Elkins is pleased to announce the implementation of a new mass notification system aimed at strengthening emergency communication capabilities within the community. This system will enable the city to disseminate crucial information to the general public quickly and efficiently during urgent and emergency situations.

A mass notification system serves as a vital tool for automating the broadcasting of mass texts, emails, and phone calls for public advisories and emergency notifications. Previously, the city partnered with the Randolph County Department of Homeland Security to use its Nixle service. With the adoption of the WENS mass notification system, the city will gain increased control and agility over the platform used to send time-sensitive and emergency notifications.

“We are very grateful to Randolph County for letting us use its Nixle service to handle mass notifications in the past,” said City of Elkins Communication Specialist Jeremy Deighan. “Now, as we shift to using our own service, we’ll be able to access even more features and provide much more flexibility to our subscribers.”

The WENS system offers advanced controls that enhance internal and external communication capabilities, empowering the city to communicate not only to residents and other subscribers during critical situations but also to internal groups for enhanced communication among city staff. Deploying WENS will also simplify the acquisition of new subscribers, enabling the city to further expand its network beyond what was previously achievable with Nixle.

City Council Resolution 1698, which “authorizes the acceptance of the terms and execution of an agreement with WENS for a mass notification system”, was adopted by the City Council on November 16, 2023.

“We are excited about the enhanced capabilities and flexibility that the WENS system offers,” said Deighan. “This investment in our communication infrastructure demonstrates our dedication to providing the best rapid response to the citizens of Elkins.”

To subscribe to the new WENS Notification System, please visit the following link and click the “Sign Up for Important & Emergency Notifications” Button:
www.cityofelkinswv.com/notifications