For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that his proposal to implement a new emergency notification system that can help protect residents in the event of fast-moving emergency situations will be implemented in mid-March.

“Communication is a vital element in protection for our residents. Our new emergency notification system allows us the capacity to alert neighborhoods, businesses and first responders in times of crisis,” Griffo said. “We can get timely information to people without taking away from the need for public safety, public health or other emergency workers to be in the field dealing with whatever emergency unfolds. I have implemented this system because I want to use our Emergency Management Office to be pro-active in terms of protecting the people of Oneida County.”

Oneida County is able to take its emergency notification system to the next level through the installation of Communicator NXT, developed by Dialogic Communications Corporation.

The emergency notification system automatically alerts a specific population – such as first responders – or a specific geographical area – such as a neighborhood – in the event of an any emergency requiring immediate notification. “There is an almost unlimited number of uses for the technology,” Griffo said, adding that he will work with local police agencies, fire departments, emergency response teams, public health officials and others to develop the widest possible use of the new notification tool. “What we have with this technology is the ability to call dozens or even hundreds of people in a fraction of the time it would take by hand, and without the need for taking personnel away from other, critical duties,” Griffo said, noting that the emergency notification system can be used for hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, escaped convicts, child abductions, lost child alerts, or any other type of communication need.

“Communication is vital when there is any type of an emergency,” Griffo said. “The Web is a great way to get information out, but to provide 24/7 protection, we have to be able to reach people even when they are not on line. For example, if we know of flooding in one place, we can alert people all the way downstream to prepare, even if the emergency strikes in the middle of the night. If we have a law enforcement pursuit in a community, we can advise a neighborhood instantly so that people can be prepared and be on alert.”

Griffo said the system is programmed with numbers in the county’s E-911 database.

“The capability to disseminate critical information in a very rapid manner with minimal staff means safety to residents and businesses alike,” Griffo said. “Officers who would be pulled away from assignments to conduct door-to-door notification may be left at strategic posts or to respond as needs arise during a crisis. Citizens are alerted in a more timely fashion about critical events allowing them additional and sometimes crucial time to take action, such as evacuating in the case of eminent natural disasters. There is nothing more important in an emergency than communications, and this system will help us alert Oneida County residents when danger strikes.”