FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 1/7/08

Contact: Regina Perry, Public Information Officer

               973-266-5339/Office

               973-449-4876/Cell

               973-395-8927/Fax

East Orange Introduces its new

Community Notification System

In an effort to strengthen its critical communication capabilities, the City of East Orange has selected C.I.A. (Client Instant Access) to provide an automated emergency notification system.  City officials are now able to send messages from any Internet connection or phone line and simultaneously reach thousands of residents. 

With C.I.A., the City will be able to send messages in multiple languages, and because the service requires no additional hardware, administrators can access the system from any computer with Internet capabilities or just a telephone, ensuring that they are able to send vital messages from wherever they are located.  After the messages are sent, officials receive reports listing any contacts did not receive the message, giving the option to resend the message to those not reached or follow up via alternative means as needed.

The staff of the Office of Emergency Management and the Public Information Office will be working closely with City Administrators, City Council members, community leaders, as well as the business community to educate them on the new system and the capabilities of the customized notification lists.    

Officials will send out the first message, and formally introduce the system to citizens and businesses throughout the City on Monday, January 14, 2008.  Residents are urged to "sign-on" and provide the City with additional/alternate phone numbers, work and cell phone numbers in order to receive time-sensitive information.  Some residents may receive “test- runs” prior to the 14^th. 

For additional information, or to add a phone number to the customized notification list, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at 973-677-8924 or DavidW@ci.east-orange.nj.us.

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