APRIL 6, 2010
Town Set to Launch ALERT COLLIERVILLE
Community Emergency Notification System
The Town of Collierville has implemented a new tool to rapidly communicate emergency messages to citizens. With this new system, ALERT COLLIERVILLE, the Town of Collierville will be able to send time-sensitive, targeted messages to citizens. The system is capable of reaching landline and cellular phones, and many types of PDA devices. It also sends messages via SMS text messaging, fax and e-mail.
The primary use of the system will be to disseminate messages pertaining to the health and safety of Collierville citizens when affected by a perceived, emerging, or imminent emergency event. Examples of such situations are: severe weather warnings, water contamination alerts, chemical spills, pandemic advisories, train accidents, and Amber Alerts.
Currently the contact data base includes all residential and commercial landline phone numbers. “This is a rapid notification system that is capable of contacting all 14,000 plus homes in Collierville in less than 15 minutes.” said Mayor Stan Joyner.
“ALERT COLLIERVILLE will automatically dial landline phone numbers, but we strongly encourage Collierville citizens to register additional methods of contact such as cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses.”
Citizens can sign up to receive messages on their cell phone by clicking on the AlertCollierville tab on the left of this page.
The Town of Collierville purchased the system from Columbus, Ohio based Twenty First Century Communications (TFCC).
TFCC has this technology in place at hundreds of organizations across the United States. “The Town of Collierville has joined a growing list of government agencies that rely on TFCC for rapid, reliable crisis communications,” said James Kennedy, CEO of Twenty First Century Communications. “We are looking forward to assisting the Town of Collierville in deploying this system that will help keep citizens safe and informed.”
How to respond to an ALERT COLLIERVILLE notification
· Stay on the phone and listen carefully to the entire message - DO NOT HANG UP!
· Keep paper and pen by the phone so you can take notes to record details, such as safe evacuation routes if they are specified and that is what you are asked to do.
· DO NOT call 9-1-1 to verify the information. You should only call 9-1-1 if you have an actual emergency. Instead, check with a close neighbor to see if they have received the same call and get any information you may have missed. If you truly suspect that you have received a prank phone call impersonating the ENCS, report it to your local law enforcement agency so they can investigate and prosecute anyone who is guilty of this serious crime.
· Follow instructions promptly and exactly as they are given. This kind of notification is only issued when fast action is needed for you to protect yourself.
Fast Facts about ALERT COLLIERVILLE
How does the service work? Authorized officials record a voice message, type an e‐mail or text message and deliver the messages quickly to individuals in the notification system.
What if I don’t have a landline phone, can the system call my cell phone? Yes, residents whom have registered their cell phone numbers in the system will receive messages on their cell phones. Since there are many instances when the public may not be at home to receive an emergency message phone call, public safety officials recommend that all residents with cell phones add their numbers to the database. You can do so at www.collierville.com, look for the ALERT COLLIERVILLE icon on the left of the home page.
If I have provided more than one phone number, what number will be called? If an emergency situation arises that requires a notification to be sent to multiple phone numbers, we will activate the system to place a call to all of your numbers at the same time. For matters with less urgency, you may be notified at only one phone.
Will the system call numbers outside of the area codes? Yes. The area code does not impact whether or not a call is made.
Can I register more than one cell phone number under my e-mail address? No, only one cell phone number can be registered per e-mail address.
Do I need to register my home landline number to be included in the database? No, your home phone number is already listed in the database and does not need to be registered. This is for cell phone, VoIP, and e-mail address registration only. Registering your cell phone will not replace or "overwrite" your home line. All efforts will be made to reach you at all of your contact numbers.
Will this sign me up to receive text messages as well? Yes, this will allow text messages to be sent. |
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