Sign up to receive county emergency notices by phone

Everyone in Kootenai County with a phone can receive alerts about emergencies such as wildfires, floods, and hazardous material spills that may require evacuations and more through the county's new emergency notification system, announced by the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management.

While people with traditional phones are automatically included in the new system, people with cell phones need to register their cell phone numbers to receive the emergency notification service.

County residents may sign up for the basic notification service or choose to add missing children alerts and school lockdowns.

There is no charge for the service.

The emergency notification system will leave voice messages only on traditional phones. People who register cell phones with the service can receive alerts in voice or text messages or they can register their email addresses to receive messages via email. Kootenai County recommends that citizens receive messages by text for efficiency.

Each person may select two methods to receive emergency notifications.

To register your cell phone or email address, visit the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management web page and click on the Notification System Citizen Registration link to register.

For questions or help, contact Brad Coughenour, Kootenai County 911 director, at (208) 446-1850 during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.