Ping4alerts!

FAQ for Prattville Alerts

Q: What is Prattville Alerts?

A: Prattville Alerts is a communication tool used by Prattville Public Safety Officials to disseminate critical information to smartphones. Prattville Alerts is powered by a free downloadable application app (called ping4alerts) that is available for Android and iPhone devices based on your location. Currently the app is available for iPhone and Android platforms.

Q: Where do I get the app or get more information?

A: The ping4alerts! app can be downloaded from iTunes or the App Store for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and the Google Play online store for Android devices. More information can also be found on the Ping4 website.

Q: What type of alerts will I receive?

A: Once you download the app, you can adjust your preferences in the settings section of the app. The default settings include receiving "public safety" messages from organizations like Prattville Public Safety and weather warnings (like tornado, thunderstorm, flash flood, blizzard, hurricane, and more) from the National Weather Service. The settings also allow you to receive less severe weather alerts if you wish such as weather watches, advisories, and special weather statements from the National Weather Service.

Q: How will Prattville Alerts notify me if an alert has been sent about severe weather or other emergencies?

A: When a new alert is sent, the ping4alerts! app will cause your phone to sound an audible alert and it will push a notification to your phone’s screen. The sound settings for notifications can be adjusted in the app's "settings" section. In addition, certain severe messages about life threatening conditions may override the phone’s silent or vibrate settings to ensure that the user gets the message.

Q: What do I do after receiving a message?

A: It depends on the nature of the event. The message may contain a recommended course of action. The message may also provide prompt you to access additional critical information by touching buttons or links on the ping4alerts! message screen. You should also check other sources of information, such as the radio or television or information from public safety officials. Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.

Q: Is the ping4alerts! app storing or tracking my information?

A: No, the ping4alerts! app uses your location when you have location services enabled on your smartphone. The location information is used to provide the warnings if you are in the affected area. While Ping4alerts! is aware of your location, it does not receive or store any identifying information from your smartphone. In other words it knows where you are, not who you are or anything about you.

Q: What functions will the app have if cellular and data networks are down?

A: The app relies on data service to provide situational information. If there is no data service available, the messages will not be received until the data service is operational.

Q: Is this the same as other emergency cell phone alerts that I have heard about?

A: Separate from this app, the wireless industry, the FCC, and FEMA are developing the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system. Certain cell phones are currently WEA compatible with the list expected to grow in the future. The Prattville Emergency Management Agency will use Ping4alerts! and the WEA to provide critical information to the public; each system provides certain benefits. The WEA only pushes text messages while ping4alerts! has the ability to target a specific area for a message and it has the ability for two way communications and can include images, video and links to more information. The Prattville Emergency Management Agency strongly recommends that smartphone users in Prattville utilize ping4alerts! and WEA to receive critical information during emergencies.


Q: I am having trouble with the app and I believe it is not working correctly. What should I do?

A: Once the ping4alerts! app has been downloaded, please make sure that the location services for the app are enabled so that you can receive specific warnings and messages based on your location. There is also a feature in the settings to send yourself a test message. If there are specific technical questions, there is a “report a problem” option within the app’s settings, or you can email: .