Holliston Launches New Mass Notification Service to Enhance Emergency Preparedness and Communication

Jan. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- HOLLISTON, MA – January 18, 2011 – The Town of Holliston announced today it has launched the Blackboard Connect™ mass notification platform, enhancing communication and emergency preparedness. The first community-wide test calls are scheduled for January 24, 2011 (residential) and January 26, 2011 (business).

Holliston 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 home phones, businesses, local agencies, and mobile phones in just minutes, through a single phone call. The service also sends e-mail, text messages (SMS) to mobile phones, and messages to TTY/TDD devices for people who are hearing impaired.

“It is important we have a system in place that allows us to send timely information to residents quickly and efficiently,” said Fire Chief Michael Cassidy, who also serves as the Emergency Management Director. “The Blackboard Connect™ service is a beneficial tool and enables police to notify residents of important safety matters, such as suspicious activity in their neighborhood, or missing persons, helping to keep everyone safe and informed.”

Town officials 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 send a variety of messages beyond emergency notifications, including notifications of inclement weather and community updates,” Cassidy said. “To help keep our community connected, we are holding test calls to make sure all residents and businesses are aware of the service and are prepared to receive timely information.”  

Publicly available primary residential and business phones in Holliston 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’s website (www.townofholliston.us) and click on the link that says “SIGN UP NOW – SERVICES BY 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 the Selectmen’s Office at (508) 429-0608 to provide their information for the database. Residents with call blocking services should add (508) 429-4631 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, leaders can easily send critical information through multiple communication channels to their entire communities, from any given location, and even under even the most extreme circumstances.”

For more information on the Blackboard Connect™ platform please visit http://www.blackboard.com/Alert-Notification/Connect-Plat... or contact the company at (818) 808-1462.


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.

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