Connect-CTY, the county’s new county/city-to-resident
communication service, will allow nearly instantaneous
communication about safety information.
HOLLISTER
Soon there will be a new system for San Benito County officials to reach residents with important information.
Connect-CTY, the county’s new county/city-to-resident communication service, will allow nearly instantaneous communication about safety information.
The system can hold up to three phone numbers, either home or cellular; two e-mails; and one CMS number. A feature of this is that it can not only call land lines, but can send text messages and e-mails.
This system was put into place after the fires outside San Diego occurred. San Diego used a similar system called “reverse 911” in which prerecorded messages were sent to residents. Some cell phone users, however, never got that information.
There are a variety of uses for the system. Examples of uses include sending information about earthquakes, floods and kidnappings, just to name a few.
Sheriff Curtis Hill feels like this system is “a good opportunity to add to the safety of the community.”
Another feature about this system is that it can make survey calls. It’s also equipped to handle non-emergency messages.
According to Hill, the public health department could send a notice about the flu season, or the public works department could send one about a bridge being closed.
This project is funded by a grant approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, while funds came from the federal Department of Homeland Security. It’s a two-year contract worth $92,000, said Undersheriff Patrick Turturici.
At the end of the two-year contract, funding from other locations will have to be secured in order for Connect-CTY to continue.
Although still not active for full usage, preliminary testing has gone well and the sheriff’s office looks to have it working in the near future.
