MILFORD, PA — Pike officials on July 15 announced two emergency notification programs now available to the public.

County Emergency Training Director Tim Knapp detailed a new public alert program, Ready Notify Pike.

According to a printed announcement, the system provides rapid text notifications and up-to-date information in a major crisis or emergency.

Recommended for all people living in, working in, or traveling through Pike, Ready Notify Pike notifies any email account, Blackberry, cell or smart phone, wireless PDA or pager. In addition to notifications, the system will also provide instructions on needed actions.

For more information or to sign up for the program, call 570/296-6714 or visit the website at pike.alertpa.org.

Separately, Bernie Swartwood, director of communications, announced that the Pike 911 Center can now receive text messages from persons in need of emergency help, but who are physically unable or afraid to make a voice call.

Swartwood said the new capability will not replace voice calls. “Voice calls are always more detailed,” he said.

Texting is not always available, may be impacted by location and is limited to 160 characters. “Texting is not always instantaneous, which can be critical during a life-threatening emergency… it may take slightly longer to dispatch emergency services.”

Text abbreviations or slang should not be used and pictures or other attachments can’t be sent. In areas where text is not possible, a message will advise a voice call. The four wireless carriers serving Pike completed testing of the new service this spring.

In other business, the commissioners accepted the resignation of Assistant District Attorney Steve Guccini and approved advertising to find a replacement.

They reported that the Pike Conservation District is seeking property owners in the Bushkill area to allow well-water samplings for the county’s base water-quality program.

They approved: a state Community Development Block Grant contract providing $253,313 for Pike’s Human Development Office and a cooperative agreement for fiscal 2014-15 with Catholic Social Services on behalf of Pike Children and Youth Services.