Contact Information: Media Contact: Tami Timperio Vice President Global Marketing Communications PlantCML®, an EADS North America Company Tel: 951-719-2423 e-mail:
REVERSE 911(R) Emergency Notification System Used to Evacuate Thousands in 2009 California Fire
| Source: PlantCML
FRANKLIN, TN--(Marketwire - June 4, 2009) - When a wildfire broke out in the brush-covered
hills above Santa Barbara, California on May 5, the Santa Barbara County
Sheriff's Public Safety Dispatch center was ready. As flames moved toward
populated areas, the Sheriff's Department issued evacuation calls using the
patented REVERSE 911® emergency
notification system to notify endangered residents.
When the Jesusita fire was finally contained two weeks later, the Sheriff's
Department had issued more than 209,000 REVERSE 911® calls. The majority
of those notifications were sent in one session on May 6, when 44,700
numbers were dialed.
"We're very pleased with the way the REVERSE 911® system worked," said
Sergeant Tom Walton, Emergency Preparedness and Planning Coordinator for
the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department. "We've used the system in
three fires in the past ten months and have had excellent results in
notifying and evacuating residents."
"The Technical Support team for REVERSE 911® was outstanding during the
fire," Walton continued. "They were on-call in case we had any issues and
we appreciate their help."
"The Santa Barbara area has suffered through three devastating wildfires in
the past year," said Mark Portanova, National Sales Manager for Public
Safety at DCC (Dialogic Communications Corp.) which offers the REVERSE
911® emergency notification system. "We're honored that the County Public
Safety Dispatch Center uses our proven solution as part of their efforts to
keep residents aware of unfolding events in critical situations."
According to state fire officials, the blaze consumed more than 8,700
acres, destroyed 80 homes, damaged 15 others, burned more than 80 other
structures and injured 28 firefighters. The Jesusita fire cost an estimated
$20 million to combat while causing more than $120 million in damage.
REVERSE 911® is the most recognized name in emergency notification for
public safety. The REVERSE 911®emergency notification system is offered
through DCC (Dialogic Communications Corp.) -- a subsidiary of industry
leader PlantCML®, an EADS North America company. Deployed in hundreds of
operations throughout North America, REVERSE 911® emergency notification
systems provide immediate, accurate map and list-based communications with
local communities and first responders.
About DCC (www.dccusa.com)
DCC (Dialogic Communications Corp.), a PlantCML® company, is the global
leader in emergency notification technology. Its on-premise and hosted
solutions are used by hundreds of public safety and private security
operations every day, ensuring their communications readiness for virtually
any critical or routine need.
About PlantCML®, an EADS North America Company (www.plantcml.com)
PlantCML, an EADS North America company, is the industry's leading provider
of crisis communications and response technologies. Today, PlantCML is
pioneering the next generation of E9-1-1 and secure network communications
through Voice over IP-enabled applications, interoperable P25 radio systems
and advanced emergency notification technologies. PlantCML's solutions are
resident in 14 of the top 20 most populous U.S. cities and largest first
responder operations.