Lexington looks at improving communication after stockyards fire

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The City of Lexington is looking to improve how it notifies people, including elected officials, during emergencies. This is in response to Saturday’s massive fire that destroyed the Blue Grass Stockyards and surrounding businesses.

The city used a phone system to alert people in the area about the fire, compromised air quality and the opening of an emergency shelter for people with chronic respiratory problems; however, that phone system only contacts people who have a land-line phone.

So, the city is looking into emergency notification systems that use cell phone numbers, in addition to land-line phones, according to Susan Straub, spokesperson for Mayor Jim Gray.

On Saturday, the city issued alerts through the media and on social media.