Alert SA has marked a major milestone, issuing more than 500 million notifications of live incidents and warnings to help protect South Australians during emergencies.
The app, which provides real-time emergency information from the Country Fire Service (CFS), Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and State Emergency Service (SES), has received an uplift ahead of the fire danger season.
Recent upgrades to the platform include improved fire danger rating displays, the introduction of notifications for sandbag collection points and emergency relief and recovery centres, and enhanced accessibility features.
The milestone comes as the app records strong engagement during recent emergencies.
Communities impacted by the Port Adelaide sulphur fire last week used Alert SA to access timely information and warnings, with nearly 4000 people opening the app for the first time.
Then days later, when severe storms swept across parts of the state, about 50,000 users accessed the platform to monitor conditions and prepare for potential impacts.
Alert SA played a significant role during the Deep Creek bushfire in February, when more than 185,000 notifications were issued to residents as the blaze burnt more than 4500ha on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
After Cape Jervis local Julianne Rilstone received the first alert about the fire, she notified her neighbours and put her bushfire plan in place.
"We were checking Alert SA as much as we could when the fire came," she said.
"Living in a regional area, we don't always get information in a timely manner, so it's great to have the app to rely on."
SAFECOM chief executive Hannah Wandel said the Deep Creek fires demonstrated the platform's value, with thousands of alerts helping residents respond quickly and make informed decisions.
"This milestone shows just how much this app has become part of how people stay safe," she said.
"These updates mean people get more specific information they need, from clearer Fire Danger Ratings to new notifications for sandbag collection points and emergency relief and emergency recovery centres."
The Alert SA app has been downloaded more than 593,000 times and has processed approximately 60,000 incidents since its launch.
South Australians are encouraged to download the app, enable notifications and ensure their Watch Zones are correctly configured so they receive warnings and updates relevant to their location.
A dedicated Alert SA website is also under development and is expected to launch next month.
