WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Wythe County’s emergency communications team say they will be testing the county’s new mass notification system Thursday afternoon at approximately two o’clock.

The test is one of the final steps in having the program fully implemented and will give local officials one of their first views of the system in operation.

“Residents and businesses will receive a call on their landlines, informing them of the system test,” said Wythe County Emergency Communications Director, James Copeland.

Copeland added, “Residents who have registered their mobile devices will receive a phone call, text message or email, depending upon their registration preferences.”

The mass notification system was funded by a grant from the Wythe-Bland Foundation and is part of a cooperative effort between the towns of Rural Retreat, Wytheville and Wythe County.

Local leaders are encouraging citizens to register their mobile phones in order to receive special notifications from emergency officials regarding extreme weather and other dangers. Residents who wish to sign up their mobile devices can do so by clicking here or by filling out a form at the county administrator’s office.

“We hope to never have to use this program in a true emergency situation, but it just makes sense to be prepared,” said Ikey Davidson, Wythe County Emergency Manager.

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