From: Tim Heider, Clackamas County Public Affairs Coordinator 503-742-5911

08-31-2010

                           

                                                                                Media and Interested Parties

 

Clackamas County unveils public notification system for local emergency response

 

Clackamas County residents can now receive emergency notifications over their cell, VOIP and emails in addition to their home phones under a new system being implemented throughout the county. The system enables emergency management officials to more effectively spread the word during local emergencies.

Clackamas County Emergency Notification System (CCENS) will send emergency notifications to every resident with a hard-wired phone. Residents can enroll to receive these notifications over cell phones, Voice over Internet Protocol or by email. There is no cost to enroll and information gathered through the sign-up process will not be shared with outside entities.

Clackamas County residents can register starting today. The notification system will go into effect Sept. 1. Learn more about CCENS here.

Every resident is automatically and immediately enrolled for notifications through their hard-wired home phones. If a call is picked up by an answering machine it will leave a message and not call back. If the line is busy the call will be repeated. The system is capable of connecting to TTY/TDD devices used by the hearing impaired.

The system could be used to notify residents and assist emergency responders in the case of a lost child or during an incident that may require residents to shelter-in-place.

“This is a great new program that enables us to reach a large number of people over a short period of time which is critical in an emergency,” said County Commissioner Bob Austin. “It costs nothing to sign up. I encourage every resident of Clackamas County to take advantage of this technology to protect their families, their homes and businesses.”

The system is being implemented through 21st Century Communications of Columbus, Ohio. A similar system is in place in Clark County, Washington.

For more information please contact Tim Heider, Clackamas County Public Affairs Coordinator, 503-742-5911.