Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS)
Stay Informed. Stay Prepared.
The Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) is the State of Delaware’s official emergency notification program, designed to quickly notify residents and visitors of emergencies affecting their area. Managed by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), DENS allows emergency officials to deliver critical information through phone calls, text messages, and email.
Whether it’s severe weather, flooding, hazardous materials incidents, evacuations, missing persons, or other public safety emergencies, DENS helps ensure you receive important information when it matters most.
Sussex County Emergency Management strongly encourages all residents, business owners, and frequent visitors to register and keep their contact information current.
Emergency Alerts and Notifications via:
Phone Call, Text Message, Email and Social Media.
Understanding Emergency Alerts
Enable emergency alerts on your mobile device and always follow instructions from Sussex County Emergency Management and other trusted public safety agencies during an emergency.
Multiple Systems. One Goal.
No single emergency notification system reaches everyone. During a major emergency, public safety officials may use several different alerting systems simultaneously to ensure critical information reaches as many people as possible.
The systems below each serve a unique purpose in keeping Delaware communities informed, prepared, and safe.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Emergency Alerts Sent Directly to Your Phone
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are free, geographically targeted emergency messages sent directly to compatible mobile devices by authorized government agencies. Alerts are broadcast through nearby cellular towers, allowing anyone within the affected area to receive important emergency information without downloading an app or subscribing to a service.
WEAs are reserved for situations involving an immediate threat to life or public safety, including tornado warnings, flash flood emergencies, evacuation orders, AMBER Alerts, and national emergency messages.
Key Features
- No registration required
- Automatically delivered to compatible mobile phones
- Location-based alerts
- Used for life-threatening emergencies
- Powered through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
Television & Radio Emergency Alerts
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is the nation’s public warning system used by federal, state, and local authorities to broadcast emergency information through television, radio, cable, satellite, and other participating broadcasters.
Most EAS activations occur during severe weather events issued by the National Weather Service, but the system also delivers AMBER Alerts, evacuation information, civil emergency messages, and Presidential emergency communications when necessary.
Key Features
- No registration required
- Broadcast through television and radio
- Used for weather warnings and public safety emergencies
- Operated through partnerships between FEMA, the FCC, NOAA, and participating broadcasters
Mass Notification Systems (MNS)
Emergency Communication for Organizations
Mass Notification Systems (MNS) are communication platforms used by schools, hospitals, businesses, universities, healthcare organizations, and government agencies to rapidly notify large groups of people during emergencies.
Unlike public alert systems, Mass Notification Systems are designed for specific organizations and may send notifications through phone calls, text messages, emails, mobile applications, desktop alerts, or public address systems.
Common Uses
- School emergency notifications
- Hospital emergency alerts
- Government employee notifications
- University campus alerts
- Workplace emergency communications
Mass Notification Systems complement public warning systems by providing organization-specific emergency instructions to employees, students, patients, and visitors.
Integrated Public Alert & Warning System
Automated Emergency Notifications
During an emergency, public safety officials may need to quickly provide residents and visitors with important information and protective actions. The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) provides authorized public safety agencies with the ability to distribute emergency alerts and warnings through multiple communication systems.
Depending on the emergency, alerts may be delivered through Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to compatible mobile devices, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) through television and radio, NOAA Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems.
Residents and visitors should follow instructions contained in official emergency alerts and continue monitoring trusted public safety and government sources for updates.