Facebook releases a new local alerts tool to help users receive important information

Facebook Local Alerts Tool

On Tuesday, Facebook announced that it tested a tool that aims to provide users with potentially life-saving information in emergencies, as it seeks to improve its reputation as a network.


The social giant has already been tested this 'Local Alerts' tool in 300 cities including Charlotte, St. Louis and Miami since last year, and now it plans to offer across the United States.


This is intended to provide reliable information to people caught up in events such as mass shootings and extreme weather, as Facebook said in a blog post.


With this new Local Alerts tool, Facebook users in local government and among first responders such as the police and fire departments can send out messages that are then spread more widely by Facebook. But the speed of tool will dependent on the account holders.

Jimmy O'Keefe, Facebook's head of Product Marketing for News Publishing, said,

"I grew up in Kansas and this is the time of year when we get a lot of tornadoes. This tool would have given us a lot of peace of mind if it was around back then."

Facebook's local alerts tool is being opened up to anyone with a page associated with city governments, emergency management agencies and first responders.


With this tool, Police and local authorities can able to alerts the public about flash flood warnings, mandatory evacuations, missing people reports, water main breaks, active shooters, road closures, winter storms, extreme temperature warnings, bomb threats and many more.


Already, the social giant offers users the ability to let friends know they are safe during emergencies with a feature called 'Safety Check'.


To test the tool's efficiency, Facebook also conducted a survey of 2,000 users who had noticed the local alerts. The app found that 73% reported the posts provided new information they hadn't yet seen on the news or anywhere else.


To get the ability to send local alerts to people in your area, you just have to fill out a form and Facebook will notify you when it has expanded to your region.


The social network already has a check-in feature for use. For now, it's not clear how useful the service will in its pilot phase. If you want to receive local alerts on Facebook, be sure to follow the Facebook page(s).



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