County considers system, Morgan Hill ready to purchase
Marilyn Dubil – Staff Writer
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SAN JOSE
Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager’s recommendation that the county research a reverse 911 system was approved Tuesday, beginning the process that could eventually lead to countywide notification of residents in case of emergency.
A reverse 911 system contacts all residents in the area with a phone message from emergency or government officials, depending on how the system is set up, in the event of an emergency. Some systems can also send text messages and e-mails.
The costs vary from system to system and is usually based on several factors including population of the area, the number and type of phone lines installed and the number of options selected.
When San Diego County installed its reverse 911 system in 2004, it cost taxpayers $42,000. Residents recently saw the value of the system, as rapidly moving wildfires spread around the county last month, threatening many of the communities in the county. Officials used reverse 911 to warn residents of the need to evacuate.
Morgan Hill City Council members on Wednesday approved a recommendation to purchase an automated telephone notification system for $70,000.
“We are open to working with Gilroy and open to working with the county. We want to get it done,” City Manager Ed Tewes said Thursday.
Yeager said he would like county staff to investigate the different reverse 911 systems available. According to Yeager’s aid John Myers, there may be a variety of systems to consider, and staff will be looking at whatever options would be best for the county.
Though no specific timeline has been set, Yeager is hopeful that the report from staff be completed by the end of the year, Myers said.
“You never know what kind of disaster will strike the Bay Area,” Yeager said. “We learned during the recent wildfires in Southern California how many lives a system like this can save, and our county should work to stay ahead of the curve.”
Palo Alto already has a system in place that it recently used when a girl was abducted on her way home from school. The 17-year-old was raped and beaten but managed to escape about 90 minutes later.
