Fostoria staff introduce CivicPlus mass-notification system to expand resident alerts

City staff presented a new CivicPlus mass-notification system intended to broaden the city’s ability to send time-sensitive and routine messages to residents beyond the city Facebook page and website.

Maddie, who delivered the presentation, said the goal is to "keep our residents as updated as possible" and described three sign-up options—text, a city-branded mobile app and email—plus customizable alert categories (events, community updates, emergency alerts, winter weather, water main breaks and street closures). She emphasized a mapping feature that allows staff to target notifications to specific addresses and an "override" so residents affected by a localized incident receive messages even if they have not subscribed to that alert type.

Maddie demonstrated how staff and department heads will be able to send alerts and explained that the system uses a no-reply number for texts, with residents instructed to contact the mayor’s office for more information or 911 for emergencies. Staff will distribute flyers and QR codes and place the system on the new city website to increase sign-ups.

The presentation received logistical questions from council and members of the audience about how the system would handle power-outage or road-closure notifications; Maddie confirmed the system includes emergency and street-closure groups to handle those cases. No council action was required or taken; the presentation was informational and part of staff reports.