Reverse 911: Could Be Cool

Stamford to test 'reverse 911' system
By Angela Carella, Assistant City Editor, Stamford Advocate

STAMFORD - City officials tomorrow will test a new "reverse 911" emergency system that can notify residents about public safety incidents by phone, e-mail, text message and digital device.

Home and business phone numbers in Stamford that are publicly available are in the system automatically, according to a statement from Mayor Dannel Malloy's office.

Those homes and businesses will get a test call tomorrow.

Residents with private numbers may sign up to be included by visiting www.cityofstamford.org and clicking on the link that says, "Sign up now - services by Connect-CTY." Residents also may call 977-4153 to sign up. They may supply up to three phone numbers and two e-mail addresses, the statement said.

Residents whose phones have call blocking may join the system by adding 977-4140 to their list of approved numbers.

Those who are hearing impaired and have TTY/TDD receiving devices may join by clicking on to the city's Web site and entering their contact information.

Anyone who does not receive a test call tomorrow should enter their contact information on the city's Web site or call 977-4153.

Like other cities, including Norwalk, New Canaan and Greenwich, Stamford will use the reverse 911 system to notify residents about "planned and unforeseen public safety matters," the statement said.

It allows city officials to record, send and track messages to thousands of residents, businesses and agencies in minutes through a single phone call. The system also can send text messages to cell phones, e-mail accounts, personal digital devices and receiving devices used by the hearing impaired.

The service is Connect-CTY, supplied by Blackboard Connect Inc., formerly NTI Group Inc., according to the statement.

"We're always looking for ways to improve communication with residents and are excited to now have the capability to send important notifications within a matter of minutes," Malloy said in the statement. "The Connect-CTY service will enhance citywide communication and play a key role in our emergency preparedness and response efforts."

The system can be used to mobilize emergency response teams, coordinate agencies and organize volunteers. If only one neighborhood is affected by an emergency, the system can contact just those residents. So if a rainstorm is flooding Waterside, only Waterside residents would get messages.

"I urge residents to register their contact information into the system's secure data base to make sure everyone is prepared to receive time-sensitive information," Public Safety Director William Callion said in the statement. "With the Connect-CTY service, we will be able to quickly notify residents in the event of a natural or manmade disaster such as a chemical leak, fire or severe storm."

The cost for Stamford was not available yesterday, but Greenwich signed a two-year, $58,000 contract for the same system, which began running in December. New Canaan began using the same system in October after signing a one-year contract for $17,500, and Norwalk spent $91,649 for a one-year contract.