Send Emergency Announcements via SMS with TownSq

Introducing a new enhancement to the Announcements feature in TownSq: Managers can now send critical emergency messages via SMS directly to residents who have opted in using TownSq Community or TownSq Business.

This feature enables  faster, more effective communication during urgent situations, ensuring that critical information is delivered promptly to everyone who needs it.

Who is this feature for?

• Manager Access: Admin users can send emergency broadcasts through both TownSq Community and TownSq Business platforms.
• Resident Access: Residents can choose to receive these emergency messages by activating the "Receive via text message" toggle in their notification settings.

How can the SMS Emergency Broadcast feature help?

This feature is designed to keep communities safe and informed during emergencies. Here are a few examples of how it can be used:

• Severe Weather Alerts: Quickly notify residents about approaching storms, hurricanes, or other dangerous weather conditions.
• Evacuation Orders: Send urgent evacuation orders with information on safe routes and shelters.
• Community Lockdown: Inform residents of a lockdown due to immediate threats, with guidance to stay indoors and secure their homes.
• Emergency Maintenance: Communicate urgent maintenance issues that require immediate attention, like gas leaks or structural damage.

How does it work?

To send an emergency broadcast via SMS:

1. Navigate to “News & Events,” and create an announcement.
   
2. Toggle the “Emergency Broadcast” option to activate emergency settings, automatically limiting formatting options and character count to fit the SMS format.
   
3. For branch-level SMS broadcasts, use TownSq Business to reach multiple communities simultaneously.

The announcement will be created in the TownSq app as usual and will also be sent via email and mobile push notifications to ensure all residents receive the communication, even if they haven’t opted in.

With this new capability, TownSq helps keep your community informed and safe during critical situations. We’re confident this will amplify your ability to communicate effectively when it matters most!

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