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Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the Emergency Communications Response Team (ECRT) website. The ECRT is a dedicated group of radio amateur volunteers which use our knowledge and resources to assist our served agencies when needed. Our team is dedicated to providing emergency communications support as needed in times of large public events, multi-agency responses and disaster situations. With a wide background of volunteers we are able to provide support in wired and wireless networks, public safety communications and interoperability, and amateur radio. We hope you find our site useful and interesting. If you would be interested in visiting or joining in on our activities please stop by a team meeting. To request the team for an event or emergency response please contact Steve Lehmann, Team Lead (309) 251-7716.
What Are Free SMS Weather Alerts
The ECRT is proud to offer the Weather Alerts service by sending SMS (text message) alerts for severe weather affecting the Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties directly to your mobile device. Weather Alert SMS messages are generated as a Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Watch or Warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Servers are constantly monitoring the feed from the NWS and no human intervention is needed keeping the relay time short. The ECRT does not charge for text messages, however message and data rates may apply from your mobile phone company. Timely notification is one of the most important aspects to having storm spotters ready to go when the weather arrives. This service is our way of saying thank you for taking the time to volunteer and help your community. There are many services out there which do similar things. You can rest assured with our service the only messages you receive are related to local severe weather or emergency communication needs.
Wireless Emergency Alerts
The wireless industry, The FCC, and FEMA will roll-out the WEA's (Wireless Emergency Alerts) system nationwide this year.
The NWS will start utilizing this by pushing extreme weather warnings over the system in June 2012.
Tornado warnings, flash flood warnings and several other high-end warnings will go direct to wireless users in an affected county automatically if their device is compatible.
Check out the full story from the National Weather Service and get your questions answered here!
