numbers in communities
In emergency, system can call all listed phone
numbers in communities
By Sherry conohan
Staff Writer
SHREWSBURY — The Police Department has put into service the long-awaited community telephone notification system called Reverse 911.
Last Friday, as the system went online, Police Chief John D. Wilson III explained that it provides a means of communicating with the community by sending prerecorded telephone messages to residents and/or businesses in a targeted area.
"These calls can be of an emergent nature such as a hurricane, hazardous material spill or lost child," Wilson said. "They can also be used for more informational purposes such as road closings, crime alerts or other community notices."
Other towns that are availing themselves of the service through interlocal agreements with Shrewsbury are Little Silver, Eatontown, Fair Haven and Rumson. Little Silver came aboard just last week.
The Little Silver ordinance, adopted at the July 7 Borough Council meeting, spelled out the cost of using the Reverse 911 system, which was developed by the Indiana-based company, Sigma Communications Inc. The cost covers hardware maintenance, database maintenance and 17 telephone lines.
The ordinance provided for a five-year agreement from June 1, 2003, through May 31, 2008, with Little Silver paying $864 for each of the first three years, for a total of $2,592, and $2,222 for each of the next two years, for a total of $4,444 for that period.
Eatontown is paying $1,962 for each of the first three years and $5,043 for each of the last two years.
Fair Haven is paying $832 for each of the first two years and $2,138 for each of the last two years.
Rumson is paying $1,000 for each of the first three years and $2,570 for each of the last two years.
Wilson said the Reverse 911 system was purchased by Shrewsbury through federal funding, and each of the other municipalities was assessed a proportionate amount of the system’s yearly maintenance costs.
The costs increase in years four and five because the grant includes a large portion of the maintenance costs for the first three years, but not beyond, according to Little Silver Borough Administrator Michael D. Biehl.
Wilson said the Reverse 911 system will be an integral part of information sharing by emergency services. He said the use of recorded telephone calls to broadcast information is preferred over door-to-door or loudspeaker messages because it is highly consistent and much less labor intensive.
"When an emergency arises, emergency personnel can concern themselves with the matter at hand while the Reverse 911 system alerts residents," he said. "It is also preferable to radio broadcasts because if residents do not know an emergency message is coming, they may not be listening to the radio.
"Even if they are listening," he added, "the information to be broadcast may not affect all in the listening area. Reverse 911 allows only geographically specific areas to be called."
Wilson said an additional benefit of the Reverse 911 system is a Community Bulletin Board System. He said this system will allow residents to call in and listen to important prerecorded messages from their police, fire, emergency management services and other local government agencies.
"This benefit is just getting under way, but can be reached by dialing (732) 741-2501," he said, adding that the number is the same for all five towns.
Wilson said the Reverse 911 system has a database of all listed phone numbers within the five towns. He asked that those residents who have unlisted phone numbers and wish to be included in the Reverse 911 plan to contact their local police department.