New alert system looks to give residents upper hand when emergent situations arise
A new emergency alert system is geared at saving lives in and around Yorkton.
The Voyent Alert app and notification system has been operational for the last recent while, with a soft launch back in the spring. The system allows the City of Yorkton to communicate to either individual areas in the city, or the city en masse.
The app will include any emergent situations, such as a severe thunderstorm, a tornado, a flash flood, down to things like snow clearing and water main breaks.
“It's another tool in our toolbox. We don't expect people to rely solely on this, but it is a huge step up from where we were, so that you can be notified. And you know, we'll do our due diligence to get all that information out to everybody,” said Yorkton Fire Chief Trevor Morrissey.
“It gives us the ability to notify our citizens of anything from emergencies to non emergencies, points of interest, just things that we need people to know.”
The city’s soft launch included the late spring snowstorms Yorkton experienced. Morrissey said he heard positive feedback from those who had the system in use, helping a few people make the decision to stay home and stay off the roads.
The app is available on the Voyent Alert website, downloadable in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, but also works for landlines and email — it’s fully customizable, based on the needs of residents. It is free to download or sign up for, and promises to make a difference for residents living in Yorkton.
For Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley, it’s a game changer.
“Not everyone's a Facebook user, and this will come straight to your phone, again. And you don't have to go looking. It'll be so easy to access that you will be in the loop, immediately — you'll know what's going on in your city,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.