MUNCIE – The Delaware County Emergency Management Department launched a new smartphone app aimed to connect people to crucial information, happening in the area.
The app became available a month ago to Android and iPhone users. It is free. People have access to information about emergencies, power outages, breaking and local alerts, weather alerts, and radar information. The app connects people to the INDOT site, the local police scanner, amber alerts, and information about emergency plans.
The app is interactive. People can upload photographs and text tips. Those tips will be sent to law enforcement agencies in the county.
“I want it to be something that somebody looks at every day,” EMA Director Jason Rogers said.
Muncie Central High School Assistant Principal, Justin Oliver, downloaded the app. He said he uses it frequently. Oliver is also the director of public safety and security at the school. The high school has about 900 students. He said this app is crucial to help ensure their safety.
“With all of the emergencies and tragedies that go on -it seems like on a regular basis across the country – minutes mean everything. Seconds mean everything,” Oliver said.
Rogers said the app was paid for by using a grant. The grant was issued by the Ball Brothers Foundation.
“If this saves one person’s life, than the return on investment on a grant like this is just….you can’t quantify it –really,” Ball Brothers Foundation President and COO Jud Fisher said.
Rogers said this was a project the county, along with several agencies, worked on for a year.
“Had it not been for the Ball Brothers Foundation, this would only be a dream for us,” Roger said.
If you would like to download the app, it is called DCEMA.
