News Releases from Bucks County. For more information, please go to www.buckscounty.org.

On an increasing basis, residents are relying on technology to receive comprehensive information about weather and other emergencies. That trend was born out during the recent effects of Hurricane Sandy as it passed through southeastern Pennsylvania. Within the five-day period October 26-30, almost 18,000 residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties signed up to receive emergency alerts through the public safety notification system, www.ReadyNotifyPA.org.

The signup numbers for each county that were triggered by Hurricane Sandy:

"On behalf of the Bucks County emergency management community and first responders in all 54 of our municipalities, we are extremely pleased that our residents have turned to ReadyNotifyPA as a source of notification," Bucks County Commissioner Chairman Robert G. Loughery stated. "Having been out in the community and witnessed the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy, I strongly encourage those who have not signed up to do so."

County Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler praised emergency management officials for their coordinated response to preparation, response and recovery during the hurricane.

"I join county Emergency Services Director John Dougherty in reminding residents to have a plan for their families and pets when severe weather approaches," he added. "Ready Notify PA continues to be one of the most valuable tools we have for providing up-to-date notification during an event."

Launched in April, 2008, ReadyNotifyPA is a system that allows local officials to send E-mail or text messages to cell phones, I-Phones, Androids, pagers or other e-mail enabled devices during an emergency.

Through www.ReadyNotifyPA.org, you can customize your subscriptions and choose the types of alerts - such as severe weather alerts, transportation delays and crime information - that you wish to receive.