How SMS enhances public safety & emergency preparedness for municipalities

1. Rapid mobilisation of crisis and emergency response teams

In severe incidents, municipalities and regions must quickly assemble their crisis and emergency response teams. SMS is a direct and effective solution for reaching the right people fast and ensuring that essential resources are in place. SMS can be used to:

• Mobilise crisis and emergency response teams during urgent incidents

• Inform emergency services, healthcare personnel, and other key stakeholders about the situation

• Send updates on response plans and meeting times

Example SMS notifications for a crisis management team:

Example SMS for emergency response teams during a major incident:

2. Emergency alerts and crisis notifications

During an ongoing crisis or danger, it is crucial to quickly reach affected individuals. SMS has an open rate of over 90% within minutes, making it an effective channel for alerting both residents and staff.

Example SMS for residents:

3. Information during power outages and technical disruptions

During extended power outages or other operational disruptions, it is important to inform residents and businesses about the expected duration and the measures being taken. Effective communication in these situations reduces concern and increases the chances of quickly restoring normal operations.

Example SMS for residents:

4. Staffing SMS for healthcare and social care personnel

Municipalities and regions are responsible for essential public services, and during incidents, the right personnel must receive information quickly. SMS can be used to call in additional resources, coordinate evacuations, or communicate special measures.

Example SMS for employees:

5. Shelter-in-place and evacuation during school threats

In serious situations in schools, such as threats or ongoing violence, rapid communication with staff and guardians is crucial. SMS can be used to instruct staff on shelter-in-place procedures (staying indoors and locking doors) or evacuation (moving to a safe location).

Example SMS for shelter-in-place:

6. Evacuation and assembly points during major incidents

During major accidents or disasters, SMS can provide residents with clear instructions on evacuation, assembly points, and where to seek assistance. Clear and accurate communication is especially important to prevent chaos and ensure people reach the right location quickly.

Example SMS for fire and evacuation:

The importance of a clear and trusted sender

To ensure that SMS and RCS messages are taken seriously, it is crucial for the municipality or region to have a clear and recognizable sender. Anonymous or unknown senders can create uncertainty and lead recipients to ignore important warnings.

What should municipalities and regions consider?

• Use a reliable sender ID. More information about SMS sender ID here. More information about RCS here.

• Be consistent: Always communicate from the same sender so recipients learn to trust and act on the messages.

• Clear introduction: Start the message with a clear sender identification, for example, "IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM [Municipality Name]."

• Inform in advance: Notify residents and staff that the municipality uses SMS for crisis communication and how to recognise legitimate messages.

• Use trusted channels: When using RCS, ensure that messages are sent with a verified profile displaying the municipality’s logo for added security and credibility. Learn more about RCS here.

Why choose SMS for crisis communication?

• No app required: Unlike apps that require downloads and updates, SMS and RCS work instantly on all mobile phones without extra steps for the user.

• Fast delivery: Messages reach recipients within seconds, which is crucial in rapidly evolving crisis situations.

• Wide reach: Most people keep their phones close, and SMS can reach nearly all residents, even those without smartphones or internet access.

• Reliable even during network disruptions: SMS performs better than apps or social media during high network traffic or telecom disturbances, making it a dependable communication channel in emergencies.

• Interactive and responsive: Recipients can reply to messages, for example, to confirm receipt of important information or assist with staffing needs.

SMS can be a lifesaver in disasters and societal disruptions. It is therefore crucial for municipalities to have preparedness systems in place to use this channel effectively when the need is greatest. With SMS, municipalities can quickly reach out, receive feedback, and take the right actions in critical situations.