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January 27, 2006 --- County launches emergency network to help reduce disaster threats Romulus Wayne County on Thursday (Jan. 26) announced the launch of its countywide Emergency Alert System, a new tool for notifying citizens of serious threats or disasters – even school closings.
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, officials with the software developer and county homeland security administrators launched the new program at emergency preparedness offices at Detroit/Wayne County Metro Airport. The Emergency Alert System notifies citizens enrolled in the program of a number of troubles, from health threats in their immediate neighborhood to broader countywide emergencies. An automated system contacts participants on their cell phones, pagers, so-called handheld devices (Blackberry), to a home computer via email. Traditional home phones are also part of the new alert system. The county executive said the alert system will likely spread statewide, and eventually across the country. Funding for such programs largely became available after the 2001 terrorist attacks. The county executive said the alert system would help abridge communities -- and make Michigan safer. Community "borders are becoming very elusive," he said. "Regional cooperation is going to be the way (public service) agencies serve citizens, there's no question." Here's how to enroll. Log on to the county's popular web site, waynecounty.com, and follow the prompts in red lettering on the front of the homepage. The information is secure and confidential. A signup phone number is planned following the Super Bowl in early February. There is no cost to participate and the website prompts allow participants to change contact methods with a few clicks of the mouse. School closings and weather emergencies are also part of the new service. One example of the system's need is a serious chemical spill, such as the one in Romulus last summer. Although emergency crews responded well, the alert system would have more rapidly notified local citizens of the incident. The service is intended as a supplement to radio, television and siren notification already in place, the county executive said. It better meets the demands of those who rely on a cell phone or a home computer for instant communication, he said. The new program can also be narrowed to isolated neighborhoods, where a fire, for example, would affect only those living close by. The costs of the program are funded by federal Homeland Security grants. The software is provided by Birmingham-based Codespear. |
