FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Mayor James R. Miron, 203.385.4001

Stratford Launches Citizen Electronic Notification System 

Stratford, Conn. (May 26, 2009) - Mayor James R. Miron, together with members of the Administration, today launched Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System, operated in partnership with Everbridge, Inc.

Upon registration by Stratford’s citizens and businesses, Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System will provide notifications regarding the safety or welfare of the community and will be used for community news notifications including information about Town-sponsored events and services.

There is no cost to register for this System or to receive notifications.

“Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System will allow us to provide registered residents and businesses, within minutes, with important information such as severe weather alerts, road closings, health and safety alerts and community event information,” said Mayor Miron. “The success of the System relies on community participation, and I encourage each and every Stratford resident and business to register.”

Members of the community may register for Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System via the Town’s website (www.townofstratford.com).

In order to successfully register, a name, Stratford address and at least one phone number must be provided. The System accepts registration information from Stratford residents, businesses only.

As part of the registration process, each registrant will be given the option to receive notifications via home phone, business phone, cell phone, e-mail, text message, fax or any combination of the above. Personal information is not shared with any third party organizations and is confidential.

Registrants can opt-out of the System at any time via the Town’s website.

Everbridge, Inc. was awarded the contract to provide Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System as a result of the competitive bidding process held in February 2009. The cost of the System and implementation is $80,000. The System is funded by Connecticut’s Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) as an authorized project as part of the Town’s FY09-FY13 Capital Improvement Plan, which was adopted by the Town Council in August 2008.

Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System?

With this System, voice and email messages can be sent within minutes to registered residents and businesses with specific information about time-sensitive issues such as emergencies and local community matters.

How does Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System work?

The notification System enables the Town, with one call or a few clicks of a computer mouse, to communicate with thousands of residents, businesses and neighbors anywhere, anytime, via home phone, cell phone, business phone, or email address.

What types of messages will be sent using Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System?

Any message regarding the safety or welfare of the community will be disseminated using Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System. The System may also be used for routine community notifications including information about Town-sponsored events and services.

How do I include my contact information in the notification database?

Initially the System was populated with publicly listed home telephone numbers.

The Town has also provided a registration page for residents and businesses who do not have listed home telephone numbers to provide their contact information. The registration page also allows individuals to provide additional contact information such as a cell phone, business phone or email address.

Will there be a way to positively identify incoming calls made by the Town using the System?

Yes.  Calls generated by Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System will read “Town of Stratford.” In addition, every message will begin with a standard introduction from Mayor Jim Miron.

My phone number is a cell phone with a non-local area code.  Will Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System call numbers outside the area?

Yes.  The area code does not impact whether or not a call is made.

How does Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System respond to busy signals or no-answer situations?

For busy signals, the call will be repeated several times in an attempt to reach you.  The same is true for no-answer and call-waiting.  If the phone is answered by an answering machine, a message will be left on the answering device. If, after two attempts the call does not successfully go through, the System will stop attempting to call.

I registered several communication devices; will the System contact me on each one?

The System will continue to cycle through each and every communication device available until the message is delivered and confirmed by the recipient. If you are set up to receive messages by phone, you will be asked to listen to the entire message and confirm by pressing 1; for e-mail there will be a live link to confirm; and for text message you will need to reply to confirm.

I registered my contact information into the System, but I need to update my information.  How can I do this?

Click on the Stratford’s Citizen Electronic Notification System link on the Town’s homepage – www.townofstratford.com. If you are already registered, and need to add additional contact information, use the Opt-In form. If you registered contact information that needs to be changed, use the Opt-Out form to unregister and then the Opt-In form to re-register.

Will my personal information be shared with any third party organizations?

To protect the privacy of your personal information, a provision has been included in the Town’s contract with Everbridge, Inc. that maintains the confidentiality of your information. Your personal information will not be shared with any third party organizations.

I am not a resident of the Town of Stratford, can I register my contact information into the System?

At this time the System accepts registration information from Stratford residents and business owners only.