If you are wanting to get notified by the City of Bridgeport of critical information, they have a service that has been in place fore a year that you can still join.

 

In September of 2019, Bridgeport went online with the new Swift911 alert system. It replaced the Nixle system that was the previously alert system. 

 

Much like Nixle, the information will be made available after downloading an app. Once downloaded, individuals will receive alert messages for weather, police, or emergency services messages for the city

 

How do you do it? According to John E. Chapman, the Director of Emergency Service for the City of Bridgeport, it is simple. He said individuals need to text SWIFT911 to 99538 to set up the app to receive messages. 

 

“We looked at a lot of alert systems before choosing the Swift 911 system. We felt it was the best one to alert the citizens and staff of our town,” said Chapman.

 

There is multiple message those that will sign up will receive and those that have already signed up currently receive. Chapman provided a few examples.

 

“The West Virginia Department of Emergency Management sends out daily weather and disaster reports to all emergency managers in our state. Our Emergency Services Department then sends out appropriate warning regarding hazardous weather or disaster declarations for our area,” said Chapman. “We have also been using the Swift 911 system to give traffic shutdowns due to wrecks if roads or lanes

will be closed for extended periods of time.” 

 

During a recent meeting in front of Bridgeport City Council, Chapman said more than 1,000 individuals have signed up for SWIFT911.