Local governments will soon be able to use Facebook to send out emergency alerts through Facebook. For governments and local authorities around world, connecting with people via social media is a general practice. Governments and ir representatives often use social networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook to share ir achievements, initiatives and more. w, Facebook is readying a whole new tool that can make its platform available as a channel for local governments to send out emergency alerts.

Emergency alerts via Facebook

Facebook anunced that it is letting local governments in US exercise an ability to send out emergency alerts to ir communities. Facebook already offers a Safety Check and Community Help tools that let users offer and find help during an emergency crisis. Emergency alerts tools should come as an addition to some of Facebook's similar tools and services. Facebook is rolling out access to local alerts to eligible Facebook ps in US by end of 2019.

"People are more connected than ever yet at times it can be harder to reach everyone in community during emergencies. Local alerts help County of Riverside reach more people with our messs. Combined with or alerts we send, Facebook’s local alerts is a great tool to help us deliver vital information to people who need it most," said Shane Reichardt at RivCoReady, a government organisation in Riverside, California.

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"One of most important aspects of our jobs as local government communicators is work we do to keep our residents and ir families safe. From distributing information related to emergency wear situations, to engaging public in active missing persons search efforts, Facebook’s local alerts function has become a key part of our ncy’s social strategy. Facebook is where our residents are, re’s questioning that, and local alerts have significantly strengned our communication efforts via platform by providing enhanced credibility to our messaging," said Austin Ellington at Round Rock, Texas -- City Government

How to get local alerts

Facebook said it would start opening up access to alerts to eligible Facebook ps by end of this year. Eligible Facebook ps include those that belong to a city or county government, local emergency manment or fire department or local law enforcement in US. Facebook did t say for sure if it has plans to expand local alerts to more countries. To receive local alerts on Facebook, make sure you follow relevant Facebook ps once feature goes live.