New York City’s official emergency communications program is making it easier than ever to be informed about emergencies from Harlem to Hollis. The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications today launched the Notify NYC app – the City’s first emergency notification mobile application. With the new Notify NYC app, New Yorkers can get information about emergency events and important City services, based on location. The new app is available for free download for Apple or Android devices, and offers real-time emergency updates on events from hurricanes and blizzards, to major traffic and mass transit disruptions, public health hazards, school closings, and unscheduled parking rule suspensions.
“It’s crucial that New Yorkers know what’s going on around the city, especially in an emergency,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This new app will make it easier than ever to stay informed and get alerts about what’s happening – both nearby and citywide.”
“A key step to being prepared is staying informed,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “With the new app, Notify NYC offers New Yorkers more ways to receive information than ever before. Download the app to get free alerts about the emergencies and updates that matter most to you, and choose how you want to receive them.”
“In an emergency situation, we want New Yorkers to have the information they need in the palm of their hands.” That’s why Notify NYC app is a game-changer, providing real-time emergency notifications and crucial updates based on geolocation,” said Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications Commissioner Anne Roest. “We’re proud to have partnered with Emergency Management to build an app that will be such a valuable resource for so many.”
The Notify NYC app is the latest upgrade to the Notify NYC program – the City’s free, official source for information about emergency events and important City services. The new app has several key features:
- Users can receive messages based on their current location, allowing alerts to follow New Yorkers as they travel throughout the five boroughs. New Yorkers can also include up to five addresses to receive alerts specific to where they and their families live, work, or go to school.
- A new “receive all” mode allows users to access all emergency notifications, regardless of location or topic.
- A new map feature provides detailed information about the locations of emergencies in relation to a user’s location.
The Notify NYC mobile app is available for free download from iTunes or Google Play. Search for “Notify NYC.” Notify NYC website subscribers who do not download the new app will continue to receive their selected email notifications.
The new mobile app was developed by DoITT in partnership with NYCEM based on user experience with the Notify NYC website, which was first implemented by DoITT in 2007. Notify NYC mobile is the first “push” application developed by DoITT, and the first app developed by the agency’s specialized “Insource Team,” which works on detail to agencies to manage special technology projects. DoITT’s Notify NYC Insource Team first embedded at NYCEM in 2016, and included a technical lead, a Java backend developer, Android and iOS developers, a UX/UI designer, a business analyst, and quality assurance analysts.
“With today’s digital devices, people can find a wealth of information at any given time. Yet, when there is an emergency or dangerous condition, it is important that people are immediately provided with relevant and accurate information,” said Council Member James Vacca, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Technology. “With this new app, people will receive real-time and location specific details, and be able to better prepare themselves. The development of this app demonstrates one way technology can be deployed to further public safety, and I commend the team at DoITT and NYCEM.”
“During emergencies information is power, and that’s exactly what the new Notify NYC app will give New Yorkers: more power to access more detailed information through a new, easily accessible app,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “After ten years and almost 9,500 notifications later, Notify NYC is graduating to an app now offering residents more direct geolocation-based notifications on everything from weather alerts to public health and safety alerts. Thank you to NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito and Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications Commissioner Anne Roest for their continued interagency collaboration, and to Mayor De Blasio for his steadfast commitment to improving the lives of New Yorkers through advanced technology and better communication.”
Notify NYC started as a pilot program in December of 2007 as a means to communicate localized emergency information quickly to City residents. Since its inception, Notify NYC has sent out more than 9,400 notifications about local emergencies, and its subscribership has grown to more than half a million New Yorkers. To sign up for Notify NYC, New Yorkers can call 311, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter. Subscribers can receive alerts in several ways: phone, email, SMS, fax, and Twitter. Non-English speaking subscribers have access to a link in which the same message is listed in 13 different languages, audio format, and American Sign Language (ASL). Notify NYC’s multilingual messages span a variety of emergency situations, including pre-scripted mass transit alerts, fire department activity, missing person(s) alerts, public health and safety notifications, utility alerts, weather alerts, drills and exercises, alternate side parking updates, downed trees notifications, and Combined Sewer Overflow advisories.
Notify NYC is just one way the City of New York seeks to communicate urgent information to City residents. In addition to sending e-mails, text messages, tweets, and phone calls, NYC Emergency Management has the ability to activate NYC’s Emergency Alert System (EAS), which sends information immediately via television and radio, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which send critical emergency updates to all equipped cell phones in NYC. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311.
Below are examples of notifications released this week that will now be available via the app with the new mapping and geolocation features:
Coastal Flood Advisory: Notified 9/20/17 at 4:20 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended the Coastal Flood Advisory for southern Queens until Thursday, 9/22 at 12:00 AM. The affected area includes the Atlantic Ocean beaches and along the South Shore Bays. Tidal departures of 1-2 feet above normal are expected.
During a Coastal Flood Advisory, minor flooding of the most vulnerable shore roads and/or properties is possible. Coastal residents should be alert for later statements and take action to protect property.
For more information, please visit www.weather.gov/nyc.
To view this message in American Sign Language (ASL), العربية, বাঙালি, 中文, Français, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Italiano,한국어, Polski, Pусский, Español, اردو or ייִדיש : http://on.nyc.gov/2glCc9d
Ferry Disruption: Notified 9/18/17 at 9:13 p.m.
Due to the United Nations General Assembly, NYC Ferry riders should expect service disruptions from Tuesday, 9/19 to Monday, 9/25. The US Coast Guard is enforcing a full closure of the East River on 9/19 from 9:15 AM to 8:00 PM near United Nations Headquarters, specifically between East 35th Street and the Queensboro Street Bridge.
As a result of these restrictions, NYC Ferry riders should anticipate delays and temporary closures from at Pier 11/Wall Street & East 34th Street terminals. The Midtown Shuttle Bus will pick up riders on East 34th Street & 1st Avenue instead of the ferry terminal. All routes are subject to change with little or no notice as a result of heavy traffic conditions.
For more information and service updates, visit www.ferry.nyc/service-alerts.
Road Closure – Planned: Notified 9/17/17 at 3:33 p.m.
Due to the United Nations General Assembly, expect significant traffic delays throughout Manhattan from Monday (9/18) through Friday (9/22). Anticipate traffic disruptions, various street closures, and an increased presence of emergency personnel. Use of public transportation is highly encouraged during this period.
Notify NYC is just one way the City of New York seeks to communicate urgent information to City residents. In addition to sending e-mails, text messages, tweets, and phone calls, NYC Emergency Management has the ability to activate NYC’s Emergency Alert System (EAS), which sends information immediately via television and radio, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which send critical emergency updates to all equipped cell phones in NYC. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311.
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