Antigua and Barbuda residents now have a new locally developed tool aimed at putting emergency alerts, public safety information and community updates in one place.

Chantel Alert, an app developed by Antiguan educator and software developer Erwin McPherson, has officially been released to the public following a period of testing.

The platform is currently available for Android devices through Google Play, with an iOS version expected to follow.

McPherson, founder and software engineer of McNova Solutions, said the idea was to create a practical platform that could help residents stay informed about situations affecting their communities.

“As an educator and software developer, I wanted to use technology to create something practical that could contribute to the safety, awareness and connectivity of our communities,” McPherson said.

Chantel Alert brings several types of public information together within a single application.

Users can receive emergency notifications, check active alerts and the areas affected, view missing-person and wanted-person notices, and monitor severe weather and earthquake activity.

The app also allows members of the public to submit information connected to active alerts.

Beyond emergencies, Chantel Alert includes a Community section designed to give approved news organisations, businesses, public agencies and other organisations a space to distribute news, public notices and verified community updates directly to users.

McPherson said the longer-term goal is to expand participation on the platform by bringing more public agencies and organisations on board.

That, he said, could make it easier for residents to find important and reliable information without having to search across several different platforms.

The launch adds another homegrown digital product to Antigua and Barbuda’s technology landscape, with Chantel Alert placing its focus specifically on public awareness, safety and community communication.

For now, Android users can access the app through Google Play, while its developers say an iOS release is coming soon.