Nixle in action: Exploring partnerships

What do Google and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have in common with Nixle? All of these organizations are committed to making the world a safer place, whether it is alerting you when severe weather is approaching or helping to locate a missing child. Nixle has partnered with each of these agencies to enhance our communication system to provide agencies with the ability to maximize the reach of their messages during an emergency.

Google Public Alerts

Google Public Alerts [1]is a part of the Google Crisis Response project whose goal is to alert user based on their location.

During Hurricane Sandy, Google shared with users a map that tracked the progress of the storm and also gave users updated information from the National Weather Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Google’s partnership with Nixle combines Google’s unbeatable reach and resources with Nixle’s alert system.[2] Once a Nixle Alert is published, it can be visible on Google Search, Google Maps and Google Now. This partnership allows emergency messages to reach those who have not signed up for Nixle Alerts.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) [3]was established to work with law enforcement and families to aid in issues related to missing and sexually exploited children. They have created a national response and hotline to help with their cause. According to a July 2014 press release, NCMEC has provided support to law enforcement on 111 cases as a result of Nixle Alerts. Of those, 102 have been resolved. Through their partnership with Nixle, they have been able to increase awareness of missing children and help the community receive tips and information much quicker. The Executive Director of NCMEC, John Bischoff, stated, “Nixle plays and instrumental role in that alerting process, which is key to finding missing children and bringing them home safely”[4]. With the help of law enforcement, Nixle partnering with NCMEC has helped increase awareness and communication that is crucial when it comes to bring home our young loved ones.

Nixle’s partnerships with these organizations enables residents to have access to the most relevant information from trusted sources. When you find yourself in a natural disaster or emergency, you want to know that you are prepared and have the support of reliable sources. With the help of Google and NCMEC, agencies have the resources necessary to support their community when it is most needed. Nixle users are ensured that the information they send out reaches the largest audience, resulting in the best results during emergencies. All of these organizations are committed to improving safety and the ease of information. Nixle’s partnerships have allowed agencies to successfully enhance our communication system to provide agencies with the capability to expand the reach of their messages during an emergency.

[1] http://www.missingkids.com/NCMEC

[2] http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-center-for-missing–exploited-children–nixle-team-up-to-help-law-enforcement-bring-home-missing-children-266564811.html

[3] http://searchengineland.com/google-emergency-alerts-coming-to-a-search-near-you-154058

[4] http://www.google.org/publicalerts/?gl=US