Calling systems get top grades

Automated notifications make sending school, city news easier

In an era of instant messages, school districts and government agencies across the region have caught the fever for notification systems that allow them to send thousands of messages with one phone call.

Black said that since last year the city has used a notification system called Code Red to send residents recorded messages about impending emergencies and city-caused inconveniences. For about $10,000 a year, the city can provide specific information to communities based on their locations.

He attributes some of the city's success in evacuating people from mobile home parks and low-lying areas before Hurricane Wilma hit early Monday to the half-dozen messages that were sent over the weekend.

"It allows us to have a more immediate and localized response," he said. "With this system, we can pre-map areas for Categories 1, 2 and 3 hurricane evacuation and in two to five minutes we can give that notice."

The Charlotte County school district began using Connect-ED last year after Hurricane Charley. The district purchased it for about $5 per student, said spokesman Mike Riley.

"The way the system works is really simple," he said. "You dial in a code, record the message and then send it. Principals here have used it for everything from congratulations to the kids on FCAT scores to PTO meetings."

Susan Hasbrouck, a mother of two Sarasota County public school students, said she appreciates the service the system provides and she wouldn't mind seeing something similar at the city or county level in Sarasota.

"I just flew back in town, and it was really great to hear that message," she said. "I think it would be wonderful for the older people who can't hear so well or aren't watching the television much. It would certainly be an option for them and all of us."