What Information Do You Need to Include in Emergency Alerts Using Mass Texting

March 18, 2016 12:00 am by grouptexting

Text messaging for businesses and organizations does not just have to be about marketing. Mass texting provides an easy way to communicate with everyone in your organization, school, or business to provide them with essential information. It comes in handy when you need to send out emergency alerts about the weather or some other potentially dangerous situation. When you send out emergency alerts to your customers, members, students, or other people associated with your business or organization, it is important that you include the following information.

Clearly and Concisely Inform About the Problem

It may be fun to play in the rain, but weather can turn dangerous

The first part of the emergency message that you send through mass texting should include information about the problem. You only have 160 characters, so it is not the place to go into details. You also do not want to create mass panic. If you are concise, dispassionate, and clear, it will help to convey the issue without causing too much chaos. This could be just stating severe thunderstorm warning, tornado watch in effect, fire in a nearby building, or some other problem. It may be helpful to lead with the words “Emergency Alert,” followed by the issue.

Provide a Solution

It is essential that you state the solution to the problem. It needs to direct people to know what to do. During a crisis, people do not always act according to reason, but can easily slip into panic mode. It is also human nature to follow the leader rather than take the most logical course of action. A clear direction can help them to remain calm. This direction could include terms such as “remain indoors,” “calmly leave the building to a designated safe area,” “remain at home,” or any other action you want the recipients to take. Again, you are limited to 160 characters, so it is important that you convey what you want them to do as concisely as possible.

Emergency Ranking

An important component to include in your emergency alert is the level of emergency. You may wish to create a system for your business, school, or organization. For example, you could designate a red, green, and yellow designation depending on how severe the situation is. You could just use words, such as “immediate.” to designate a larger emergency that requires people to take action right away.

More Information

Your text recipients can also receive more information by text from anywhere

Before you end the text, it is beneficial to include information about how your mass texting recipients can receive further information, like a website link with more up-to-the-minute information. They could also text back a certain keyword to get regular updates as they come in. You may just tell them that you will send them more information as it comes.

Because people have such a strong relationship with their phones that include sleeping with it, it makes for a great way to communicate emergency information. However, it is also important that you do not overuse this service. Not every severe thunderstorm may need to be conveyed to your recipients, but one that is expected to cause damage and potentially hurt people should be. It is also vital that people know in advance that you may use mass texting service to provide emergency alerts and have consented to receive them.

Try GroupTexting for free to send emergency alerts and other valuable information to your customers or members.