Cherokee Ranch Fire October 2003

by Terri Wiebold

Douglas County residents who sign up for a new web-based information subscription service have the ability to receive emergency management information as well as other general information electronically through e-mail, cell phones, pagers, and other text-enabled devices.

The web-based program monitors both the Douglas County government website and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website for content updates and, based on personal preferences selected during registration, notifies subscribers when updates are made to the websites. Subscribers may choose from more than 70 different categories of general information, all at no charge.

“This program will be critical in the event of another large-scale incident like the Cherokee Ranch Fire our community experienced a few years ago,” said former Castle Pines North Safety Committee chairperson, Janet Conner. “It is a way for residents to receive time-sensitive information when not at home,” she said.

Douglas County director of communications, Wendy Holmes, said, “The key is to let them [residents] know that something has occurred that they need to pay attention to.” According to Holmes, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County Emergency Management staff are very excited about the program.

Residents interested in learning more or signing up for the program can go to either the Douglas County Government website (www.douglas.co.us) or the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website (www.dcsheriff.net.) and click on the envelope “Receive County Email Updates” icon at the top left of the home page to subscribe. Subscribers can change selection information or cancel the service at any time.