Cohousing-L Mailing List: Looking for a simple emergency alert system

[Diane Craig (ddcraig]

We use the Signal app (free) that is very secure and used by the Dept. of
Defense. It can send text messages (with photos or videos) to up to 150
people.  The admin(s) set up a single community text group and then sent
out an invitation to each member asking them to download the app and join
the group.  We have about 40 members and only 2-3 people did not add the
app. Importantly, at least one person in every household participated. We
did have some kinks to work out for some but all were solved via text or
the person came by our one-hour "help desk."

Sometimes the text messages are 'emergencies' (i.e., traffic accident
blocking nearby intersection, kids vandalising property, poll greeter who
was feeling faint because they forgot food and water) and sometimes not
(i.e., impromptu happy hour, last minute notice about the monthly business
meeting, broken window in common house).

We try to discourage frivolous use but it does happen. I think most here
would agree that the pros of having the ability to push out a request or
information quickly outweighs the occasional overuse of it. The Signal app
does have mute feature where it won't send an alert and you can look at the
messages later.

Diane Craig
Gainesville (FL) Cohousing