"We live in an uncertain world and it seems prudent to have this means of alerting our residents and businesses to emergency information," Mayor Eugene Murray said.
The $40,000 system, which includes eight dedicated phone lines, a computer server and related software, was purchased through a state grant secured by State Sen. Dean Skelos.
"This system can isolate areas and streets, make lists, dial numbers and
tell us who got the message," said Village Administrator Ron Wasson. "During emergencies we can then go door-to-door if necessary for specific residents, like those who have notified us they are using medical life-support equipment."
The system can play up to a 30-second message and can be used to notify residents of lost children or of street-closings due to construction or special events, or to make other public service announcements.
The system was first used just days after its installation to notify residents on the North Side of a Sept. 25 water pressure test by the County Fire Marshall at Mercy Medical Center. "We made 3,400 calls in the two days before the test, alerting residents there might be water pressure and discoloration problems," Wasson said. The test went off and no one called with questions or complaints, he added.
The system was used again Sept. 29 during emergency repairs to a damaged hydropower import cable that had caused a brief blackout. Businesses and residents were asked to conserve power and the village did not have to use its older, less efficient generators to meet the electricity demand.
"If we had had this system during the 2003 regional blackout, we might have avoided rolling blackouts in Rockville Centre," Wasson said.
The system, which can be activated remotely, will also be used for
scheduled announcements like the spring and fall hydrant flushings and for
situations like snowstorms.
