Be Prepared

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, is an integrated alert system that encompasses cellphones, radio, and broadcast television. These alerts notify you about severe weather, AMBER Alerts, and threats to public safety. These messages are sent by authorized agencies to cellular phones in geographically targeted areas.

Customers are not charged for the delivery of IPAWS messages and the alerts resemble a text message.

IPAWS can save lives. Do not ignore the messages. They contain basic information to notify you about a threat. If you receive an IPAWS, seek additional information from a trusted source, such as government agencies or local radio and TV stations.

You do not need to sign up for IPAWS, it is sent out automatically based on geographic location, however you should make sure your phone has the alerts turned on. Below are instructions for Apple and Android phones:

On an Apple/iPhone:

1. Go to settings > Notifications
2. Scroll to the bottom of the screen
3. Under "Government Alerts" turn on alerts for AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts.

On an Android phone:

1. On your Android device, open Settings
2. Tap Notifications and then Wireless emergency alerts
3. Turn on allow alerts for Extreme Threats, Severe Threats, and AMBER Alerts.

On a Google Pixel phone:

1. On your Pixel device, open Settings
2. Tap Notifications and then Wireless emergency alerts
3. Toggle allow alerts on Extreme Threats, Severe Threats, AMBER Alerts, and Public Safety Messages.

RAVE is our first line of communication for local emergencies. It delivers fast, targeted alerts for situations like missing persons, public safety concerns, and even severe weather. If you are not enrolled, you will not receive these updates. Signing up for RAVE is quick and protects you and your family by keeping you informed when something serious happens. You can register here: https://getrave.com/login/dodgeco 

How to Sign Up

1. Click the link above or go to https://getrave.com/login/dodgeco
2. Select Register in the upper right corner.
3. Enter your account information.
4. Select your mobile carrier. If you use Spectrum, choose Verizon.
5. Verify your mobile number. You can send yourself a test message to make sure everything is working correctly.
6. Choose the Opt-In Lists you want to receive. This step is critical to ensure you get the alerts you need.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office manages an app that sends information directly to your phone regarding public safety, weather safety, and other Dodge County updates. Find the app in the app store of your phone under "Dodge County Sheriff's Office (WI) or use this link to go directly to the app for download.

In an emergency situation, every second counts. Dodge County now offers Smart911, a free service that provides 911 operators with critical medical and household information needed during an emergency.

To register, follow these simple steps:

• Visit smart911.com or download the Smart911 App.
• Create your Safety Profile for yourself and your household. (Your information will be kept confidential and only accessible when you dial 9-1-1).
• Smart911 will send a message to your registered email address confirming your account.
• Upon verification, Smart911 will deliver your Safety Profile to 9-1-1 answering centers.

Dodge County will also use this system to send emergency notifications such as drinking water contamination, missing persons or hazardous conditions and non-emergency notifications. When you create or upload your Smart911 profile, that information automatically becomes available to dispatch and also supports the accuracy of alerts sent through our RAVE local emergency alerting system. 

With Smart911, individuals can link both home and work addresses to mobile phones which can be passed on to responders in the field for a more detailed, rapid response. Additional information including pets in the home, vehicle details in the event of an accident and even emergency contacts can all be included in a Safety Profile.

Currently, mobile phones do not provide an address to the 9-1-1 call taker. These emergency situations are often the worst moments of a person’s life and the Safety Profile can speak for you when you might be unable. Individuals are encouraged to create their Safety Profile with Smart911 today to have their information immediately available to 9-1-1 and to receive emergency notifications.

A NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Working with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Alert System, NWR is an “All-Hazards” radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.

NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. A NOAA Weather radio can be purchased at many big box retailers as well as online for around $30-50.

Disaster Supply Kit

After a disaster, local official and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. Your family will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. When a disaster hits, you don’t have time to shop or search for supplies, but if you have gathered them in advance your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.

Ready Wisconsin has a number of resources to create a kit for your home or vehicle that is geared towards families, older adults and those with disabilities. 

Food and Water in an Emergency

If a disaster strikes your community, you might not have access to food, water and electricity for days, or even weeks. By taking some time now to store emergency food and water supplies, you can provide for your entire family.

Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need even more. You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day. You should store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool. 

Review a helpful print out how to prepare and store food and water in case of an emergency.

Ready.gov — Helpful information and resources including plans for businesses, homes, and educational games for children.

Ready Wisconsin — Emergency information that is just for Wisconsinites. 

Wisconsin Emergency Management - Resources and guidance from Wisconsin Emergency Management's team. 

National Weather Service - Weather forecasts, alerts, and educational resources to help you stay safe and prepared. 

Office of School Safety - Wisconsin Department of Justice tools and training for school safety and preparedness. 

United Way of Dodge County - Connects individuals and families to local programs that support basic needs, health, education, and financial stability. 

Volunteer Dodge - Local online platform that connects people with volunteer opportunities and nonprofit programs across Dodge County.

Emergency management is the coordinated effort to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and reduce the impacts of disasters. It brings together local agencies, first responders, businesses, nonprofits, and the public to keep the community safe and resilient.

The most common in our county are severe weather, hazardous materials spills, large fires, public health emergencies, and extended power outages. We also plan for less common but serious events like mass-casualty incidents or infrastructure failures.

In Wisconsin, emergency management starts and ends at the local level. Every city, village, and town is required to have someone responsible for emergency management. That role may be filled by a fire chief, police chief, another official, or even a private individual hired by the community.

At the county level, the Emergency Management department coordinates larger-scale planning, resources, and support for local communities. If an incident grows beyond county capabilities, the State of Wisconsin Emergency Management office provides additional assistance, and in the most severe cases, federal resources may be requested.

In Wisconsin, emergency management is funded mainly at the local and county level. Each community and county provide a portion of its budget to support emergency management. The State of Wisconsin also provides annual grant funding to counties to help cover staffing, training, planning, and equipment.

Additional funding may come through federal, or state grants tied to specific programs (for example, hazardous materials planning or homeland security). Large disasters that receive a federal disaster declaration may also open the door for cost-sharing or reimbursement programs.

Emergency Management focuses on the big picture—planning, coordinating, and supporting all agencies before, during, and after disasters. EMS provides medical care and transport, fire departments handle fires, rescues, and some hazardous materials, and law enforcement protects public safety, enforces laws, and provides security. In short, Emergency Management coordinates while EMS, Fire, and Law Enforcement respond.

Yes. Our office can provide preparedness presentations or help coordinate training requests for community groups, schools, businesses, and other organizations. Check out our request form on our "Get Involved" page or click here. 

No. FEMA assistance is only available for federally declared disasters, and residents must apply and meet eligibility requirements. It can help with temporary housing, home repairs, or other essential needs, but it is not a replacement for insurance.

In Wisconsin, additional help may be available through state disaster funding or SBA loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses. Applications and eligibility rules apply.

In Dodge County, tornado sirens are activated by our 911 dispatch center whenever the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning anywhere in the county. Some local municipalities may also trigger sirens independently. Because we don’t use a polygon-based system, all sirens in the county sound at the same time, no matter where the storm is.

Sirens are just one way to get warnings, so we encourage everyone to stay weather aware using multiple sources like NOAA Weather Radios, mobile alerts, and local media.

A watch means conditions are favorable for a specific hazard, like a tornado or severe thunderstorm, to develop. It’s a “be prepared” alert.

A warning means the hazard is occurring or imminent in your area and you should take immediate action to protect yourself and your family.

For example, if a tornado watch is issued, stay alert and monitor the weather. If a tornado warning is issued, seek shelter immediately.