NIXLE Community Alerts

by everbridge

BE INFORMED!

Nixle is Osceola County's primary alert & information system!

Osceola County utilizes Everbridge's NIXLE for emergency alerting and information to citizens, visitors, businesses, and general community.

Nixle is a 'sign up' service that provides emergency alerts by text, e-mail, web, social media, and other mechanisms to ensure a single source for critical information. NIXLE is unique in it's ability to provide both Alert/Notification and critical public information to residents during critical emergencies.

Nixle provides up to date information from authorized emergency officials on a wide variety of emergency situations including severe weather, security incidents, major fires, and even community events.

CURRENT NIXLE NOTIFICATIONS (LIVE)

WHY NIXLE?

Utilized by all Osceola County police, fire/rescue, and 911 agencies!
Notification via text, e-mail, app, and web-page - all easily sharable!
Provides Alert/Notification AND supporting public information!
Automatic relay of National Weather Service Warnings, Watches, Advisories!
Free! No cost to sign up or utilize, is a free public service!
Also utilized by neighbor Mecosta and Newaygo Counties!
Serving Osceola County since 2014!

A Sample Nixle Text Message

A Nixle text message not only provides an alert to an emergency situation - but also a link to further details, updates, and instructions on what to do!

TYPES OF NIXLE NOTIFICATIONS

ALERTS

Are the highest level of notification, reserved for urgent notices. They will always go to text & app notifications.

Example: A Thunderstorm Warning issued by the National Weather Service alerting persons that a damaging storm is approaching.

ADVISORY

Are reserved for important (but not urgent) messages and will go to email, text, or app depending on how you have signed up.

Example: A Thunderstorm Watch issued by the National Weather Service advising persons that there is a significant potential of severe weather.

COMMUNITY

Are for low priority information messages and will go to email, web, or app.

Example: A fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service informing the community that there is a chance of potential fog in the forecast.

4 WAYS TO GET NIXLE INFORMATION!

Text 888777 for text alerts

Enter "OsceolaEMD" (for just Osceola EM alerts)

Enter your zip code to recieve all alerts in that area (regardless of agency)

to register a Nixle account and customize how you receive text & email messages from selected agencies.

DOWNLOAD THE NIXLE APP

Download the Everbridge Mobile App

to receive and manage Nixle push notifications and other information directly to your mobile device.

ACCESS VIA THE WEB

Go to www.Nixle.com

Don't want to sign up? Nixle messages are also available from our web page www.osceolaemd.us and are relayed via our facebook and twitter feeds!

Remember, Mecosta & Newaygo Counties also use Nixle. Sign up for their information via keywords "MECOSTAEMD" and/or "NEWAYGOES"

NIXLE IS SHARABLE!

Not a Nixle subscriber? Nixle alerts & information can be shared easily amongst users!

Social Media (Facebook & Twitter/X) - Nixle Information is frequently shared via Facebook and X (Twitter) feeds from various agencies including Osceola EMD, local police, government officials, and others.

Email & Texts - Nixle subscribers are able to forward received emails and texts to friends & family as to provide information that may affect them in emergencies.

Personal & Media - Remember, released Nixle messages are the official statement from local emergency authorities, you can help by relaying this life saving information to others during times of need. This includes media sources such as television, radio, web & print sources.

2-1-1 - The public can also access Nixle information via our partners at the Heart of West Michigan 2-1-1!

Nixle information is easily accessed via the web, social media, television, and other sources - including through the United Way's 2-1-1 system!

OTHER LOCAL ALERT & NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

Reed City is served by an outdoor warning siren that alerts outdoor populations for in-place shelter.

Reed City Outdoor Warning Siren

The city of Reed City has a single outdoor warning siren located at the Reed City Fire Station. It is designed to add to, not replace, Nixle community alerts for persons in outside areas such as parks, campgrounds, and/or trails. Besides being tested on the 1st Saturday of each month, the siren activates only for 1 emergency message - a alternating wail intended to signal an immediate in-place shelter condition such as tornado, thunderstorm, or hazardous materials emergency. Click this box for more information on Reed City's outdoor warning siren.

THIS IS A TEST MESSAGE / REED CITY SIREN TEST

The City of Reed City conducts a monthly test of it's outdoor warning siren the 1st Saturday of each month @ approximately 1pm (except in cases where a Severe Watch or Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service). The siren is programmed to sound for 3 continuous minutes, and will then turn off automatically. To support this test, Osceola County Emergency Management issues a city - targeted Nixle message to support information and preparedness.

REED CITY OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN INFORMATION

There is only 1 public outdoor warning siren used in Osceola County - serving Reed City. . This siren is located at the Reed City Fire Station at 523 Morse St (on the East side of the City). It was acquired through a grant in 2011, with the intent to enhance, not replace, the Osceola County’s primary alert & warning system, Nixle.

The siren is tested on the 1st Saturday of each month at approximately 1pm. Tests will be cancelled during times of a weather watch or warning issued by the National Weather Service. Additionally, a Reed City focused Nixle notification message is sent out for preparedness information.

The siren is only designed to alert people that are outside and within 1 mile of the siren - it is not reliable for indoor alerting. Outdoor warning sirens are only reliable for providing warning within a close range to outside places such as parks, trails, or other recreational areas where other alerting devices may not be available. People that are indoors, in noisy environments, or any significant distance from the siren should rely on other mechanisms such as Nixle (recommended), NOAA Alert Radio, or other services as their primary warning mechanism.

The siren is only used for life threatening shelter-in-place emergencies - if you hear the siren get to shelter immediately! Get inside to a safe structure, grab your family emergency supply kit, and monitor Nixle, NOAA Weather Radio, TV, or radio for further instructions or an ‘all clear’ message. Only call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.

NOTE: The Reed City Siren is not capable of activating on generator power! This is another reason why Nixle should be considered the primary alerting system for residents, businesses, and visitors.

NATIONAL ALERT & NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

In addition to Nixle and other local systems, Osceola County utilizes national alert/warning systems during extreme emergencies. Each of these play a vital role in our nation's safety & security - follow the links to learn more.

NOAA / NWS WEATHER RADIO