Jerseyville City Council Approves Emergency Alert System Sharing with County
The Jerseyville City Council has approved an intergovernmental agreement with Jersey County to share the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This system allows both the city and county to send emergency alerts directly to residents' cell phones. Jerseyville Fire Chief Keith Norman, who also serves as the coordinator for the county's Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, explained that the agreement formalizes the city's ability to use the system, which was previously authorized verbally. The IPAWS is designed for county-level agencies and is not intended to duplicate weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Instead, it can be used for localized emergencies, such as chemical leaks, to instruct residents on necessary actions like sheltering in place or evacuation. The agreement also includes provisions for recycling, with the city council approving an ordinance to amend the city code on solid waste, establishing policies and procedures for recycling.