KINGWOOD — Local nonprofits can sign up as part of the WENS system through the Preston County Office of Emergency Management.
WENS, or Wireless Emergency Notification System, is provided through OEM/911. The system sends mass email alerts by text, voice, email and pagers.
At a Tuesday Preston County Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting, Preston OEM/911 Director Duane Hamilton said the system will allow nonprofits to send mass notifications to their clients.
“The more (people) on there, the better, if we have an emergency,” Hamilton said.
He said towns signed onto the system can send out notifications about water issues and other emergencies. Hamilton said it can also be used by law enforcement in cases involving missing persons or people of interest.
Individuals can sign up for weather and other alerts by following the link at http://preston911.com.
OEM/911 Assistant Director Justin Wolfe said obtaining State Emergency Response Commission grants will be more competitive in the future. He said grant guidelines have changed, allowing fire departments, hospitals and other agencies with HAZMAT functions to apply.
Wolfe said OEM/911 recently received a $1,800 grant from the organization for a laptop computer.
In other business, Janie Lou White, director of Preston County Senior Citizens, said the Buckwheat Express bus system is expanding its services.
“We are getting ready to try to provide more services in Aurora and Eglon, but we are having trouble finding people to work these areas,” she said.
White said the Buckwheat Express has also resumed non-emergency medical transportation outside the county.
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