System Can Notify Some, All Persons In Event of Emergency, Other Times

When a crisis affects Jasper County, Emergency Management officials must be able to reach residents instantly with warnings, information, and updates.

In order to ensure that residents can be contacted quickly and effectively, the county has begun using Global Connect’s Emergency Notification System, which gives the county the ability to call thousands of residents, staff members, and volunteers within minutes.

“The Global Connect system will allow Emergency Management officials to record a message and send that message to every telephone number listed in the directory within a matter of minutes,” explained Craig Bird, CEO and Founder of Global Connect.

“Whether residents need to be informed of a water main break, fast-moving fire, approaching storm, or other crisis, the Global Connect Emergency Notification System is the most efficient way to reach them with the news.”

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The Global Connect Emergency Notification System sends messages to a database of telephone numbers and email addresses.

Jasper County Emergency Management strongly encourages residents to visit its website at www.jaspercountyga.org, and register their cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses to receive emergency messages on additional devices from Jasper County.

The county has a database of Jasper County land lines.

The system offers a number of features that render it particularly useful during a crisis:

Instant Callback — Residents who need additional information or require special assistance from the municipality can make a return call to a designated telephone number with the press of a single key on their telephone keypad.

Customized Mapping Capability—Jasper County can create a customized list of call recipients by selecting the area(s) affected by the emergency at hand. Global Connect will instantly develop the list of telephone numbers for residents in that area.

Remote Access and Deployment—Emergency management officials can deploy a message from any location. Only a telephone is required to record and send a broadcast.

Real Time Reporting — Emergency Management officials can see immediately which residents have been reached by telephone, and which have received messages. The system will continue to call residents who have not been reached as frequently and as many times as desired.

“Many counties and school districts have already seen the benefits of the Global Connect Emergency Notification System,” said Mr. Bird. “The speed, simplicity, and flexibility of this cost-effective system make it a natural choice for public entities.”

Jasper County used its system recently, in a non-emergency situation, to contact residences on Deerfield Farms Road to learn if they were interested in having their road paved.

The system can be used to warn people of a tornado headed their way, give severe storm warnings, and for a myriad of other purposes. For example missing persons alerts could be provided with the phone system.

Persons who are not internet savvy can call the non-emergency 911 number at 706-468-4930 to list their cell phone number. Land lines and their locations are already in the database.

For more information, contact Jasper County Emergency Services Director Melissa Slocumb, 706-468-4930.

For more information on the Global Connect Emergency Notification System, call 1-888-421-4151 or visit www.gc1.com.