Cummington Launches New Mass Notification Service

Dec. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- [CUMMINGTON, MA – DEC. 8] – The Town of Cummington announced  it has launched the Blackboard Connect™ mass notification platform, enhancing communication and emergency preparedness. The first community-wide test call is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Cummington has implemented the Blackboard Connect™ platform so that town officials can directly notify, update and provide direction to the community in an efficient, timely manner, should a need arise. Using the Blackboard Connect™ platform, officials can record, send and track personalized voice messages to businesses, local agencies, and the town’s households in just minutes, through a single phone call. The town can also send text messages to cell phones, PDAs, e-mail accounts, and TTY/TDD receiving devices for the hearing impaired.

“As we prepare for winter, and always, we need to be able to communicate with residents quickly and efficiently,” said Fire Chief Bernie Forgea. “We’ve implemented the Blackboard Connect™ service so that we will have the power to quickly disseminate vital information during a severe storm or any situation that may compromise public safety.”

Town administrators can target each message to an unlimited number of groups – everything from mobilizing volunteers to coordinating efforts with necessary agencies or emergency personnel. Authorized users can also use a map on the Blackboard Connect™ system to contact specific geographical locations, sending messages only to the residents within select neighborhoods when needed.  

“With the Blackboard Connect™ service, we can conduct wellness checks or inform residents of road closures and power outages within minutes, without having to rely solely on word-of-mouth as we did in the past, which could  take hours,” Forgea said. “I strongly encourage all residents to take note of this service and add their contact information, including landline phones, cell phones and e-mails accounts, so they are prepared to receive important notifications at any given time.”

Publicly available primary residential and business phones in Cummington will automatically be included in the system. However, to ensure that the town has the most up-to-date contact information, residents should visit the town website (www.cummington-ma.gov) and click on the link that says “BLACKBOARD CONNECT,” to provide their complete information (up to three phone numbers and two e-mail addresses) and indicate if they have a TTY/TDD. Those without Internet access are encouraged to call (413) 634-5354 with their up-to-date contact information. Residents with call blocking services should add (413) 634-5354 to their approved number list to ensure they receive important notifications from the town.  

“The best way to keep residents informed and, therefore, help to keep them safe is through communication, and the Blackboard Connect™ platform makes it easy,” said Ed Miller, President of Blackboard Connect. “With the Blackboard Connect™ platform, administrators have a powerful tool for mass communication without having to purchase new computers, software and telephone lines.”

For more information on the Blackboard Connect™ platform please visit http://www.blackboard.com/Alert-Notification/Connect-Plat... or contact the company at (818) 808-1789.


Additional Information about the Blackboard Connect™ Platform
The Blackboard Connect ™ platform allows officials to send thousands of messages in minutes, requires no additional hardware, and can be used from any computer with Internet access or telephone. This ensures that administrators can send vital messages from wherever they are located—even if they are evacuated. Additionally, officials receive detailed reports on contacts that did not receive a message, enabling them to follow up through alternative means as needed.
 
*Blackboard Connect Inc. does not sell, lease, share, or rent personally identifiable information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) to any companies or persons outside of Blackboard or its service providers.