CONCORD - As part of his continuing efforts to strengthen public safety in the State of New Hampshire, Governor John Lynch today signed a law implementing the creation of an emergency notification system.

The system will be an enhanced 9-1-1 system which will allow state public safety and emergency management officials to send notifications and emergency information to New Hampshire residents via the telephone.

"Working closely with local first responders, the State has done an excellent job responding to major natural disasters that have impacted communities and thousands of our citizens. Moving forward with this new emergency notification system will enhance our ability to communicate important information to the people of New Hampshire during an emergency," Governor Lynch said. "It's another important tool as we continue our work to keep New Hampshire the safest state in the nation."

The new notification system is expected to be up and running by the end of the year. Currently, several communities in New Hampshire have an emergency notification system in place. This new law will allow for a uniform statewide system, similar to the statewide 9-1-1 system. New Hampshire will become only the second state in the nation to implement a statewide notification system.

"Being the safest state in the nation is something I am very proud of, but it is not something that just happens. It requires an ongoing effort to ensure we are doing all we can to keep New Hampshire and its people safe," Governor Lynch said. "This new law allowing for the creation of a statewide emergency notification system is another step forward in keeping New Hampshire safe."

House Bill 213 was sponsored by Reps. Melanie Levesque and Carol Friedrich.