(TNS) — The city of Aberdeen, S.D., this month issue its first public safety alert by text message.

The process wasn’t perfect, though there’s no faulting the effort in spite of a few hiccups.

The text message was sent out the morning of Feb. 6 after an explosion and house fire at 507 N. Second St. that ultimately destroyed the uninhabited home. The messaged noted that there was a “gas explosion.”

It still hasn’t been determined whether that was actually the case; fire officials are still investigating. But at least the public knew to steer clear of the area — or at least reasonable residents who didn’t use the alert as an excuse to go see what happened stayed away to let first responders work.

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http://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/-EDITORIAL-City-Should-use-all-Tools-to-Connect-During-an-Emergency.html