Telephone-based mass notifications systems are used by thousands of public safety agencies across the U.S. to warn citizens about local emergencies, hazards and other threats. Gordon County announces they have selected Hyper-Reach to help bring this same life-saving capability to the area. This will be to replace the current CodeRed system. Hyper-Reach is a state of the art mass emergency notification system designed specifically for public safety. The county expects to have the service fully operational by the end of September.
The new emergency alert system will provide rapid notification of hazardous and urgent situations using a mix of telephone calls, text and email messages, and even TTY/TDD service for the hearing impaired. The system sends thousands of these messages to geographically targeted households in seconds, and can simultaneously deliver them to an even broader audience via social media. As well, the system can broadcast messages to most current mobile telephones (made since 2011) in an affected area by providing access to FEMA’s Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. Hyper-Reach also offers emergency message alerts in English and Spanish according to the customer’s choice.
“Our job is to protect the citizens of Gordon County as effectively and cost efficiently as possible.” said Courtney Taylor, Director of Emergency Management for Gordon County. “We reviewed all the major vendors for emergency notification service and Hyper-Reach gave us everything we needed at a very reasonable price. We’re really excited about this new product to take over our mass notifications for Gordon County.”
The County plans to use the service primarily for alerts about weather and environmental hazards, criminal activity and missing persons. One new feature that will be offered concerning weather alerts is mobile phones that are registered will receive all weather warnings for Gordon County, instead of the polygon based system currently in place. This had been recognized as an issue because mobile phones are connected to an address.
“We heard from many citizens about not getting weather alerts when they were issued,” said Taylor. “Part of the problem with the current system is if your cell phone is registered to an address that does not go under the warning you would not receive it. So, if you are shopping or at work in another area of Gordon County you did not get warned.”
Landline phones are automatically enrolled, but mobile phones and email addresses are only included when people enroll. Even if your mobile phone is already registered for the CodeRed system you must sign up again as these numbers will not transfer over. Residents and people who work in Gordon County are encouraged to enroll now either by calling 706-659-9320 or going to the website https://hyper-reach.com/gagordonsignup.html.
“We’re honored to have been selected by Gordon County to provide its emergency alerts,” said Sam Asher, President of Hyper-Reach. “It’s gratifying to be part of an effort to save lives and protect property and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
About Gordon County Emergency Management
Gordon County Emergency Management is tasked with community wide prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation to natural and manmade disasters. Gordon County Emergency Management accomplishes this through planning, training, and exercises that unite partner agencies within the community for this mission.
About Hyper-Reach
Hyper-Reach (www.hyper-reach.com) is a mass notification system with over 15 years of experience in emergency messaging. Hyper-Reach sends messages via automated telephone calls, text messaging (SMS), email, and social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Other uses of Hyper-Reach include Amber alerts, toxic chemical warnings, and armed shooter alerts. In addition to emergency management agencies, Hyper-Reach is used by law enforcement, 9-1-1 centers, educational institutions, and corporations.
