REVERSE 911 wins contracts in Virginia and Connecticut

Ring the alarm once again for Indianapolis, Indiana-based REVERSE 911, a company known for its interactive community notification system. Under contracts recently announced with Virginia and Connecticut, law enforcement and emergency personnel in those states will be able to use the REVERSE 911 system to pinpoint residents by geographical location (or predetermined mailing lists) and send them emergency instructions via land lines, cell phones, PDAs, and email. Those who receive the messages can also provide real-time feedback, resulting in an immediate report of those who require additional assistance or more information. The system, however, is useful for more than just major emergencies. In a number of cases, police have used it to disseminate descriptions of wanted criminals, wild bear attacks, or to inform nearby residents of street closings. With the Connecticut and Virginia contracts, REVERSE 911 is now active in four states.