New Hampshire Department of Safety Launches Public Safety App

(TNS) -- Visitors and residents driving north to go skiing last week might have found themselves entering a dangerous situation as they entered North Ashland. Most drivers likely didn't know they were driving into a snow squall, slippery roads and a traffic jam following a 35-car accident on Interstate 93.

Michael Todd, spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Safety, said a newly launched app, NH Alert, would have helped at least some drivers. The state launched the free app Monday for iPhones and Android phones.

"If something were to happen again, and now with the app rollout, we could put it out to your cellphone," Todd said. "Anyone in the vicinity would get the alert."

The app provides weather notices, alerts about road closures, public safety and more information gathered by the state. App users can get warnings about a nearby road being shut down or about a shooter in the area.

The Department of Safety already had services that provide text, phone and email alerts. However, these notifications are typically tied to a hometown and wouldn't be helpful if the person was traveling, Todd said.

"We want people to have information about what they need to do before, during and after an emergency," Todd said. "Part of that is knowing when the emergency is occurring."

The alerts would come from the Department of Safety, Department of Transportation and other state agencies. The state will be working with municipalities, Todd said; some have already been approached. He said there was no timeline for when municipalities would be able to transmit their own information via the app.

Pelham police Capt. Stephen Toom praised the app and he said he downloaded it Monday.

He said it's a way for the state to relay information.

"Any extra tool that alerts people is definitely useful," Toom said.

Pat Mooney, spokesman for AAA Northern New England, said additional information can only benefit residents and visitors. He said received a text alert in Maine about a tornado warning.

Due to the warning, Mooney said, he quickly got himself out of a boat on a lake and went home.

"Keeping motorists informed of road conditions and road closures and construction is a positive thing," Mooney said. "It makes for a more informed motorist."

Todd said the new app follows the rollout of a new website for the Department of Safety in the summer of 2014. A text message alert system launched then, too.

"We want them to have the information they need," he said.

©2015 The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.)