Phila. leaders unveil high-tech messaging system
ReadyNotifyPA, a free system that lets officials send e-mail or text messages to cell phones, handheld computers, pagers or other devices during emergencies, has been implemented. Service formed in case of threats to transportation systems, historical sites.
By Melissa Busch
Special to The Morning Call
Emergency notice firms experiencing major growth
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Southeastern Pennsylvania's network of highways, rail and mass transit, petrochemical ports, cultural institutions and historic icons make the region strong but exposes it to disaster.
With that vulnerability in mind, government officials Friday unveiled an emergency messaging service to keep the public informed if calamity hits.
ReadyNotifyPA, a free system that lets officials send e-mail or text messages to cell phones, handheld computers, pagers or other devices during emergencies, has been implemented in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester and Delaware counties by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force.
The task force signed a five-year contract for $887,000 with the service provider Cooper Notification for the service.
Area officials encouraged people to sign up for the service, which is funded by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant.
"One thing is a very common theme in the area of public safety," Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley said. "Much more unites us then divides us. A threat to one is a threat to all."
Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews said the system is important to keeping people and the area's critical infrastructure safe.
"Our region is an economic and tourist hub with nearly 3.5 million people who live, work and play here," Matthews said. "This is a vital public warning system."
While it's free to sign up for the service, wireless carriers may charge to get messages on cell phones or wireless devices.
People can sign up by visiting www.ReadyNotifyPA.org or by entering a text message on their cell phones.
Through the Web site, people can customize subscriptions and choose the types of alerts they want to get, such as weather alerts, transportation delays and crime information.
Or, people can sign up using rapid enrollment.
People can use cellular devices to text their county codes to 411911. County codes are BUCKS, MONTCO, DELCO, CHESCO AND PHILA.
"Whether we are dealing with floods, winter storms, or threats to homeland security, emergencies don't stop at our borders," Delaware County Council Member Jim Whelan said. "Implementing a public warning system that transcends county lines will make our region better prepared for any kind of emergency."
Melissa Busch is a freelance writer.
Copyright 2008 The Morning Call, Inc.
By Melissa Busch
Special to The Morning Call
Emergency notice firms experiencing major growthPHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Southeastern Pennsylvania's network of highways, rail and mass transit, petrochemical ports, cultural institutions and historic icons make the region strong but exposes it to disaster.
With that vulnerability in mind, government officials Friday unveiled an emergency messaging service to keep the public informed if calamity hits.
ReadyNotifyPA, a free system that lets officials send e-mail or text messages to cell phones, handheld computers, pagers or other devices during emergencies, has been implemented in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester and Delaware counties by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force.
The task force signed a five-year contract for $887,000 with the service provider Cooper Notification for the service.
Area officials encouraged people to sign up for the service, which is funded by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant.
"One thing is a very common theme in the area of public safety," Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley said. "Much more unites us then divides us. A threat to one is a threat to all."
Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews said the system is important to keeping people and the area's critical infrastructure safe.
"Our region is an economic and tourist hub with nearly 3.5 million people who live, work and play here," Matthews said. "This is a vital public warning system."
While it's free to sign up for the service, wireless carriers may charge to get messages on cell phones or wireless devices.
People can sign up by visiting www.ReadyNotifyPA.org or by entering a text message on their cell phones.
Through the Web site, people can customize subscriptions and choose the types of alerts they want to get, such as weather alerts, transportation delays and crime information.
Or, people can sign up using rapid enrollment.
People can use cellular devices to text their county codes to 411911. County codes are BUCKS, MONTCO, DELCO, CHESCO AND PHILA.
"Whether we are dealing with floods, winter storms, or threats to homeland security, emergencies don't stop at our borders," Delaware County Council Member Jim Whelan said. "Implementing a public warning system that transcends county lines will make our region better prepared for any kind of emergency."
Melissa Busch is a freelance writer.
Copyright 2008 The Morning Call, Inc.
 |
Copyright © 2008 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy |
Most Commented Articles