DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state has launched a new emergency alert system to warn residents of tornadoes, chemical spills or other dangers. It’s called the Alert Iowa System, a program the Legislature approved earlier this year. According to Iowa officials, the annual cost of running the program is expected to be about $300,000.

On Tuesday, the system was used for the first time at the Iowa Homeland Security Conference with Gov. Terry Branstad sending out a practice message. A chorus of cellphones chiming was soon heard in the conference room.

The Des Moines Register reports about one-third of Iowa’s counties will initially be served by the notification system. All counties will be later able to access the program that provides local officials control of how and when to issue emergency and public safety notifications to residents.