County Plans Test Call of New Phone Notification System

January 5, 2010 – Cabarrus County is launching the Blackboard Connect mass notification platform to enhance communication with residents and to alert the community to emergency situations. A community–wide test call is scheduled for Wednesday, January 6 to ensure residents are ready to receive these messages.

Cabarrus County implemented the Blackboard Connect platform to directly notify, update and provide direction to the community in an efficient, timely manner when needed. The system allows county officials to reach out to citizens directly regarding any time–sensitive issue, such as a fire, road closure or public notices. In just minutes, county officials can record, send and track personalized voice messages to thousands of residents, businesses, and local agencies through a single phone call. The county also can send text messages to those who provide contacts for cell phones, PDAs, e–mail accounts, and TTY/TDD receiving devices for the hearing impaired.

County officials can target each message to an unlimited number of groups – everything from mobilizing emergency response teams to coordinating efforts with necessary agencies or volunteers. Authorized users also can use a map on the Blackboard Connect system to contact specific geographical locations, sending messages only to the residents within select neighborhoods when needed.

Publicly available primary residential and business phone numbers in Cabarrus County automatically will be included in the system. However, residents can opt–in to provide their complete information (up to three phone numbers and two e–mail addresses) by visiting the Cabarrus County Web site (www.cabarruscounty.us) and clicking on the link that reads “SIGN UP NOW – SERVICES BY BLACKBOARD CONNECT,” to enter their information into the secure database. Those without Internet access are encouraged to use the computers at the nearest branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library to opt–in or can have their information added into the system by calling 704-920-2000. Residents with call blocking services can make sure to receive the county’s time–sensitive calls by adding 704-920-2000 to their approved number list.

“The best way to keep residents informed and, therefore, safe is through communication, and the Blackboard Connect platform makes it easy,” said Karl Engkvist, Executive Vice President of Blackboard Connect. “With the Blackboard Connect platform, administrators have a powerful tool for mass communication without having to purchase new computers, software and telephone lines.”

For additional information about the Blackboard Connect platform please log on to http://www.blackboard.com/Alert-Notification/Connect-Platform.aspx or contact the company at (818) 808-1789.

AdditionalInformation 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.