When disaster strikes, you might not have time to stay glued to your TV or your radio for updates. And maybe you don’t even speak the same language as the announcer. But a new app from a local software developer addresses both those challenges at once. 

It’s called Message Station Maker, and it can immediately translate messages into multiple languages and send SMS updates if—and only if—there is new information to report. No more listening to the same on-air message play over and over again; after all, there’s only so many times that you need to hear that a road is blocked. You just want to know when it has reopened. 

Emily Bartlett, a West Marin resident and the founder of the Bolinas Civic Group, developed the app at the request of KWMR. It evolved from an earlier iteration of software she created to simultaneously translate English to Spanish during civic group meetings. 

“This is truly a game changer for the entire community radio ecosystem,” said Rima Dael, C.E.O. of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. “This tool strengthens two of community radio’s most important functions—public safety and accessibility.” 

Amanda Eichstaedt, the executive director at KWMR, said the app can translate an announcement into multiple languages and simultaneously transform them into audio files that can be played over the airwaves or a public address system. 

“Before, we had to create the audio in the studio, but now I can create the audio at home and change it as needed,” Ms. Eichstaedt said. “I can do it from my computer; I can do it from anywhere.” 

During emergencies, the station broadcasts announcements every 30 minutes, but anyone who signs up for texts will get updates with or without their radio. 

“If a tree falls on your house and you have to go put a tarp on your roof, you can’t climb down and tune in every 30 minutes,” Ms. Eichstaedt said. “If you’re on the roof putting on the tarp, now you can get a text and look at it before climbing down to evacuate.” 

The software can be used by any organization that needs to communicate with a diverse population—radio stations, hospitals, government agencies or emergency services. It can be geographically targeted, allowing a group such as a local disaster council to direct messages to a particular neighborhood. 

AlertMarin didn’t notify anyone when a car accident knocked down three power poles in Inverness earlier this month, blocking traffic on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard late into the night and stranding dozens of people. But if the Inverness Volunteer Fire Department had access to Message Station Maker, it could have sent targeted messages to locals. 

“If we had this way to communicate, somebody could have put out a message to let people know what was going on,” said Connie Morse, a member of the West Marin Community Resilience Team. “It wasn’t really a disaster unless you had your granddaughter sitting in the car and wanted to get her back to her parents.”

The encrypted messages are only sent to people who opt into the system, and they can opt out whenever they wish. “Your data will not be tracked or sold,” said Ms. Bartlett, 50, a former information security worker for Apple. “We’re not a big monolith that’s going to share it with third parties. 

Elizabeth Max, director of programs for West Marin Community Services, said the privacy the app offers could make it a useful tool for the West Marin Immigrant Rapid Response Network, the 24-hour hotline the nonprofit operates to warn people about ICE raids. 

“It’s $50 a month, but it’s a bargain for what it does,” Ms. Eichstaedt said. 

For more information, go to https://messagestationmaker.com