Cape Island Towns Explore Reverse 9-1-1

CAPE MAY — Everyone knows to dial 9-1-1 if they have an emergency but what if 9-1-1 called you?
Cape May, Cape May Point and West Cape May are considering using a reverse 9-1-1 calling system that would notify residents of a weather emergencies, flooding or utility outages.
Cape May City Manager Bruce MacLeod explained reverse 9-1-1 to City Council at a Sept. 1 meeting. The system would call every resident with a recorded message. Global Connect would provide the service, which is Web-based, computer-operated system, he said.
Initially, local phone numbers would be collected by Verizon and supplied to Global Connect.
Once the database is established, individuals could register by Web up to six phone numbers to where they can be reached in an emergency, which could include home, cell, business and out-of-state numbers, said MacLeod. He said the three municipalities, all of which are protected by Cape May police, are prepared to sign an interlocal service agreement.
The three towns will share the initial, one-time cost of $1,400 to gather the database on a pro-rata basis based on the number of phone numbers per municipality, said MacLeod. There would be an annual maintenance fee of 55 cents per household, billed separately to each municipality. If a household registers six phone numbers, the charge is still 55 cents per year, he said.
The system can also be used to notify first responders of emergencies. Reverse 9-1-1 can deliver its message in English or Spanish, said MacLeod.The system can also call specific areas of town or zones such as a flood area.
MacLeod said Global Connect has back up centers in Philadelphia, New York and Toronto. In 2008, the company broadcast over 200 million calls.
City Council will entertain a resolution for the service at its Sept. 15 meeting. West Cape May Commission has also discussed the matter.