Detroit rolls out emergency system in wake of California shootings

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In the wake of the mass shooting in San Bernardino Wednesday, cities across the country are on edge.

In Detroit, the city is implementing a new emergency system to alert the public of a crisis. As the country reels from another shooting, the city is allowing cameras inside the secret facility where officials meet.

When a big emergency happens in Detroit, this is where key decisions are made. Police, firefighters, hospital and local government officials all meet inside the secret location. Chief Hilton Kincaid is in charge of the Detroit Homeland Security and says the city is evolving.

"We continually try to update our processes and our plans to make sure that what we are hired to do, keep the city safe, we can do that," Kincaid said.

Chief Kincaid invited us inside to introduce a new tool for citizens, to be used in emergencies like the San Bernardino mass shooting, where a couple opened fire Wednesday at a social services center in southern California, killing at least 14. In situations like this, Kincaid wants everyone to have quick access to information directly from law enforcement, in the form of a text message.

"It's just human nature. Curiosity draws you to those incidents. You have information about the incident and how dangerous it can be, you'll be like I know what's going on, and I will stay away."

The free program is called Nixle. It is free, and easy to sign up for. All you do is text your zip code to 888777. Kincaid says tools like Nixle could help in the situation of an active shooter, alerting everyone to leave, or stay away from the area.

"If there's 100 people there it doesn't turn into 200 people, and convolute the situation for police, first responders and anybody else who asked to be there."

About 10,000 people have already signed up for Nixle in Detroit. Those people will also receive text alerts when there are natural disasters and other emergencies.

"Whether it's the evacuation of your area, it's just something happening, we need to able to communicate with our community and this is what that is all about," Kincaid said.