ETCOG Funds Smart 911 Emergency Mass Notification System for East Texas Jurisdictions to Offer Citizen Emergency Alerts

East Texas Council of Governments • November 30, 2022
A person is using a cell phone on a wooden table.

On November 3rd, the ETCOG Executive Committee approved to fund a mass notification system for the East Texas region as a part of its public safety program for the twelfth consecutive year. The system allows ETCOG to partner with cities and counties in East Texas to send messages quickly notifying citizens about emergency situations such as:

  • Tornadoes and storm events
  • Drinking water contamination
  • Utility outage
  • Evacuation notice and routes
  • Missing person
  • Fires or floods
  • Bomb threat
  • Hostage or active shooter situations
  • Chemical spill or gas leak
  • Other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential

 

ETCOG will begin it’s 3rd contract year with Rave Mobile Safety to provide mass notification system services. Rave Mobile Safety offers unlimited minutes/texting, and unlimited users of the system, as well as a new Weather Warning service which instantly and automatically alerts recipients based on weather in the area including type of weather, location, and severity. It also allows the user to provide over 50 different language translations when deploying a notification and use this across several social media platforms.


“We are excited to continue our service with Rave Mobile Safety to provide Smart911 alerts,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “The capacity to have unlimited minutes and unlimited users opens up the opportunity to partner with more jurisdictions in the region that may have not participated before. Also, we know many of our jurisdictions used to pay for weather warning services out of pocket, so we are happy to offer a cost saving opportunity with this vendor.”


The Rave system has been contracted for the service area of Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties. The service agreement renews Dec 13, 2022, and goes through Dec 12, 2023, for a total of $80,000 to be funded by ETCOG through a Homeland Security grant. 


For more information, contact ETCOG’s Director of Public Safety, Stephanie Heffner, at 903.218.6461.


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ETCOG to Host NIMs 300/400 Class Now Required Under HB 33

By ETCOG Public Safety • July 27, 2026
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Recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12–18, 2026

By ETCOG Public Safety • April 1, 2026
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12–18, 2026 , honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the public safety telecommunicators who answer the call when emergencies happen. Held each year during the second week of April, the observance recognizes the professionals who serve as the critical first point of contact in emergency situations. At ETCOG, we are proud to recognize the telecommunicators who serve communities across our region. Their work requires professionalism, compassion, quick thinking, and a steadfast commitment to public safety. In moments of crisis, they provide calm, skilled support and help connect people to the emergency services they need. In 2025 , telecommunicators in ETCOG’s service area answered more than 174,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 20,000 9-1-1 texts . Behind each of those numbers is a person in need of help and a trained telecommunicator ready to respond. ETCOG supports the region’s dispatch offices through training, equipment upgrades, and management of the regional 9-1-1 system. These efforts help ensure telecommunicators have the tools, technology, and resources needed to serve the public effectively and efficiently. During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we extend our sincere appreciation to the men and women who help keep our communities safe every day. Their work is essential, and their service makes a meaningful difference throughout East Texas.
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