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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
 Posted - 01/27/2010 : 8:38:59 PM
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I received a call earlier today from the City of Everett. It was Stacey DeMaria informing us about the Haitian Relief tomorrow night down at the Connolly Center.
This phone call made me think what is the actual purpose of the reverse 911. Does anyone know? Is there anything written down anywhere as to the function of this service? Is there a cost to do a citywide calling?
I thought since 911 is for emergency use only that the reverse 911 would also be used as a tool for the city to inform it's residents of an emergency.
"Just Clowning Around"
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2010 : 8:49:24 PM
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I looked online and the costs are huge. The town of Arlington says because there are costs associated with these calls, that they use them for emergencies only. I think we should look there to cut costs, it's all unnecessary and a tragedy should not be used as a PR campaign.
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2010 : 11:32:43 PM
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| I think it's a great use of the system. The name 'reverse 911' is misleading...the fact that the system has grown beyond its original intent (if it's original intent was to inform people of emergencies) is typical of most technologies (the internet being a great example). The costs associated with making these calls is minimal. It's 2010, embrace technology ....it's not going away. Shame on you for calling it a PR Campaign!! |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 07:48:35 AM
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I don't see anything saying the costs are "huge".
quote:
The Reverse 911 system allows the Town to communicate emergency and important messages to the entire Town or just sections of it, instantly, or over a period of days. Because there are costs associated with an instant Town-wide Reverse 911 call, this service will be used for emergencies only. However, there is no cost if the calls are spread out over days or targeted to a small area. The service can be used in this way for important messages that are not an emergency, but still of high interest to residents. The system has only been used a few times to-date, but has already proved helpful:
Isn't this saying, properly utilized, these calls may not be costing anything? |
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johnfounder
Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 08:40:52 AM
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| In the initial purpose for R911 was to inform the residents of Everett in case of an emergency. The system contains both listed and unlisted phone numbers of the citizens and businesses in Everett. I think that the R911 is over used by the Mayor and to have his wife's voice on the calls could be considered PR which his administration could use alot of but is still not appropriate. The system does use several phone lines and is linked to other Cities that also have R911, so if there is a cost then the Police Department is paying for this service from their budget. The problem is the Boy who cried Wolf syndrome. If there is an Emergency will you answer the phone given the fact that you get the so many calls from this system that aren't considered Emergencies? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 08:50:15 AM
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So is R911 budgeted for in Police Departments budget? Is there a line item for it?
"Just Clowning Around" |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 09:27:18 AM
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I only checked online about the reverse 911…. and from what I read, the costs can be huge. It’s possible that they are not for us, but the bottom line is there is a cost.
As far as the costs being minimal……. there is also a cost for advertising in all three papers. Everything adds up, just like………the Christmas lights still on over a month after the holiday……. and just like flowers on sweetser circle that is not even property of the city. ETC, ETC, ETC…..all these “minimal” costs add up over time. We should not be overspending the budget.
I’ll embrace technology when there is extra money for it. That is the reason we are in an economical crisis because people (including cities and towns) overspends and purchases things that are not necessary and goes over their limit. It is my opinion that the call was a PR campaign because if it was that important to the administration, they would not have played games and the mayor himself should have been on the line or at the very least, Matt Laidlaw. I ignore calls from the city of Everett because we get so many.
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Fran
Senior Member
250 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 12:40:02 PM
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| I have no issue with these blast phone calls..good cause...good use...keep them coming. Stacey, in my opinion, is the most active and visible first lady we've had in a long time. Probably since Peg Connolly. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 2:31:38 PM
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I wasn't questioning the cause. I was more interested what the use and cost of the R911 is.
"Just Clowning Around" |
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carlost everett
Member
41 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 8:10:53 PM
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Are you guys for real? As we sit, the damn Christmas are blazing (cha ching NSTAR), people are being hired with NO money budgeted for them, vendors are cha chinging all the way to their banks in their plows and other construction equipment (can you say GTA?) and here we sit debating the validity of a NON cost to the city. COME ON.... cant we do better than that?
ps.Fran.. can't be with you on that First Lady comment (gag) |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2010 : 09:31:32 AM
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I wasn't trying to start a debate. All I wanted to know is if there are any costs associated to the use of the R911. If there is, then it shouldn't be used so liberally. That is all I was getting at.
So, I will ask again. Does anyone know if there is a cost associated with the use of R911?
"Just Clowning Around" |
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reverse 911
