Questions Answered about Emergency Alert System
Armstrong County 9-1-1 Director Ron Bausert (right), along with Airbus Regional Account Manager Chris Leonard and Solutions Engineer Joy Anderson answer public questions regarding the new emergency alert system that could warn residents through telephone or email communications as soon as January.
by Jonathan Weaver
County officials and about a dozen local residents found out some more information regarding the new telephone or email alert system.
The system that could start as soon as 2016 is in-response to Armstrong County Jail inmate Robert Crissman, Jr.’s escape at the end of July. Crissman is also suspected in a murder investigation.
The $28,000 cost for the new Airbus DS Communications software will come from the County’s 9-1-1 budget, 9-1-1 Director Ron Bausert reiterated last night at a public meeting at the Belmont Complex.
Upon contract signing, all county residents with a landline phone will be automatically registered
“There is nothing (local residents) need to do to have your phone number registered,” Bausert said. “As long as you have a telephone number through Windstream or the feeds with 9-1-1, you’re covered.
“The phone company can have the data to me within a week or two of us signing the contract.”
County Public Safety Director Randy Brozenick wanted to make sure all phone numbers or emails registered are secured.
Solutions Engineer Joy Anderson and Regional Account Manager Chris Leonard reassured him it was, as they have not been hacked during the past 15 years of their employment.
“The database doesn’t have any outside access,” Anderson said.
Leonard said the secure site sends messages encrypted.
“It’s so out-of-the-ordinary somebody’s just not going to stumble across it,” Leonard added. “You have to know what you’re looking for to find it.”
As well as municipalities across the United States, Airbus’ technology also benefits private and public companies.
Anderson said the September 11 terrorist attacks not only served as a catalyst for more of the emergency alerts, but also aided emergency responders.
“We always recommend (registering) as many devices as possible,” Anderson said.
County Commissioner Chair Dave Battaglia remained encouraged by the new alert system.
“There is no end to the possibility of what it can do,” Battaglia concluded.
Local News | jweaver November 17, 2015
