ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Alachua County Emergency Management has acquired the Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) services from Deaf Link, Inc. The system offers Emergency Management the capability of warning and alerting persons who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing or deaf/blind. Additionally, persons with low literacy can benefit from the Accessible Hazard Alert System.
Alerts (for severe weather, wildfires, and chemical spills) are geo-targeted to subscribers in affected areas. Alerts are also sent, in broadcast quality formats, to local television stations. AHAS sends accessible alerts to internet and video capable devices such as computers, cell phones, iPads and Braille readers. Alerts are offered in American Sign Language (ASL), English voice and text.
The service is free and residents will not have to demonstrate impairment to sign up.
David Donnelly, Emergency Management Director for Alachua County stated, “There are an estimated 40,000 residents with sensory impairments in the County.” He continued, “Warning the public of an emergency is one of our most important missions. The AHAS system will allow us to provide the same level of service to all of our citizens.”
View/download an informative AHAS flyer.
For more information or to register, visit the AHAS website, or contact Alachua County Emergency Management at 352-264-6500, or acem@alachuacounty.us.