Agenda - 03-02-2006-5g - Laserfiche WebLink

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i~ persons with a disability, 3,877 persons are 65 years or older. There are 41.7% of the 65 year and older population group who report that they have a disability. The project is also targeted to the Non-English speaking community which of the 13,409 residents aged five years or older that speak a language other than English, 5,189 self classify as speaking English less than "very well." This system will assist in notifying predetermined groups, such as the list developed by the Department on Aging that contains over 250 persons who require specialized assistance. Other lists that can be added to the notification system are the ones for the Non-English speaking residents, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents The project consists of procuring equipment and database information that will allow us to make automatic telephone calls to multiple groups, such as during an emergency. We also plan to use this system for day-to-day use as well, so all users can stay current on how to use the system. A further result in the day-to-day use, is that this will not be a "one- shot" project. The system is modular and will have the capability of being expanding as necessary. It is composed of computer hardware and software that can autodial a specific group, such as those on the county's special needs registry, or can dial based on geographic location. Examples include: if the Department on Aging wished to notify all those on the special needs registry of an impending power outage, they could just activate that group. If Emergency Management wanted to notify all those who lived in a geographic area about a hazardous materials spill, the activating officer only has to draw a circle on a computer map, and the calling begins, A separate message can be provided to the vulnerable populations, including those that do not speak English as a primary language. Most vendors offer systems that have the capability of a "two-way" interface. This means that when the telephone call is made, the recipient of the call may hit a button .on their telephone to confirm that they received the message. Some systems have the capability of referring the caller to a human contact if necessary. This feedback option will allow the Department of Emergency Management to immediately know what persons may have not received the information and best target any door to door notification that must be implemented. Similar notification projects have been successfully implemented in over sixteen counties or municipalities in North Carolina with great success, such as Wake County, Brunswick, Randolph and Iredell. Project Implementation and Coordination The project would be implemented according to the following schedule: May 2006-June: Grant award Acceptance by Board June 2006-August 2006: Final research on systems, Bid specifications, release bid October 2006- January 2007: Receive bid, award contract, vendor meeting, installation February-April 07- train on system, publicity, sign up public, test and modify system May O7- Roll out system just before Hurricane season and finalize grant closeout May 07- March 2008- Outcome Measurement, implementation changes as necessary