When a crisis affects the Town of Chesterton, emergency management officials must be able to reach residents instantly with warnings, information, and updates.

To do so quickly and effectively, the town has begun using Global Connect’s Emergency Notification System, which gives municipalities the ability to call thousands of residents, staff members, and volunteers within minutes.

“The Global Connect system will allow the town manager and police and fire chiefs to record a message in his or her own voice and send that message to every telephone number listed in the directory within a matter of minutes,” said 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.”

The Global Connect Emergency Notification System uses Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) to send a message to a database of telephone numbers, email addresses, or fax numbers. The system offers a number of features that make 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: Municipalities 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: Municipal 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 municipalities and school districts have already seen the benefits of the Global Connect Emergency Notification System,” Bird said. “The speed, simplicity, and flexibility of this cost-effective system make it a natural choice for public entities.”

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

To sign up your cell phone and/or email, please go to www.chestertonin.org

Posted 3/21/2012