Mundelein offers residents emergency notification system

In an effort to facilitate timely and accurate communication with residents, Mundelein has selected Blackboard Connect, a leading mass notification system. The Blackboard Connect service has 99.99 percent proven uptime and no single point of failure.

Blackboard Connect enables village officials to send both urgent and nonurgent notifications. The system provides residents with information/directions in the event of emergency, road closure, or community event. Using Blackboard Connect, officials can record and send an unlimited number of personalized voice messages to home phones, businesses, local agencies and mobile phones. The service also sends email, text messages to mobile phones and posts on Facebook, RSS feeds and Twitter channels. Messages can also be sent to TTY/TDD devices for the hearing-impaired.

"Blackboard Connect will transform the village's communications by increasing effectiveness both for emergency notifications and community outreach," Village Administrator John Lobaito said. "Village staff will be able to create and send messages faster than ever. In an urgent situation, Blackboard Connect sends out timely safety instructions and situation updates to community members. With Blackboard Connect, leaders can communicate quickly during an unforeseen event. There's never been an easier way to help keep our community safe and informed."

Publicly available primary residential and business phones in Mundelein will automatically be included in the system. However, to ensure the village of Mundelein has the most up-to-date contact information, including cellphone numbers and email addresses, Mundelein residents are asked to visit www.mundelein.org/police, click on the link that says "Emergency Notification Sign-Up," and provide their complete contact information. Users should also manage their message preferences by indicating their preferred mode of contact, language, and message topics.

Those without Internet access can call (847) 949-3200 to provide their current information. Residents with call blocking services should add (847) 949-3200 to their approved number list to ensure they receive important notifications from the village.

Blackboard Connect also features language translations. Village staff can simultaneously reach the Mundelein community in nine languages for voice translations and up to 83 languages for email and SMS.

"Communicating effectively during unexpected weather events is critical to emergency management personnel. Blackboard Connect offers automated Weather Alerts to help emergency management directors take the time and guesswork out of keeping communities informed about severe weather, like tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods," Lobaito said.

Mundelein officials can target each message to an unlimited number of groups. Authorized users can also use the system's geo-mapping and group subscription features to contact residents based on specific geographical locations and interests, helping ensure recipients receive relevant, targeted information.

For more information about Blackboard Connect, visit www.blackboard.com/connect.