TDC dialing up new beach flag alert system

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - The Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is collecting contact information for a new text messaging program designed to issue alerts about changing surf conditions.
    
Via text message, registered cell phone numbers will receive beach flag updates with alerts to changing surf conditions within the city limits as well as unincorporated sections of Panama City Beach.
    
"We hope to get the program running in the next couple of weeks," said Dan Rowe, Bay County Tourist Development Council director.
    
For the program to be successful, Rowe said, people need to register in the next few weeks.
    
"This is another tool that we can and should use," he said, adding that text alerts can relay information even quicker than the flags can be changed. "Hopefully we can save a life."
    
There have been no drownings off Panama City Beach this year, but last year's drownings caused widespread concern among local officials and safety personnel.
    
"This puts the information that people need at their fingertips," said Maj. David Humphreys of the Panama City Beach Police Department. "Of course, it will be up to them whether or not they heed those warnings."
    
The text messaging program is new to Panama City Beach's beach safety public awareness campaign, which includes flying aerial billboards during double-red flag conditions, displaying signs inside each rentable lodging unit along Panama City Beach, posting signs explaining the flag colors at every public beach and public service announcements on billboards and other media.
    
The text messages are planned to originate from either the Bay County Sheriff's Office or the Beach Police Department. However, Ruth Corley, Sheriff Office's spokeswoman, said her office is unaware of the program but looks forward to receiving information from the responsible parties.
    
People who have frequent interaction with beachgoers are encouraged to sign up for this service. Normal text messaging rates will apply.