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The Town recently implemented a Reverse 911 system to alert residents, via telephone, in the event of an emergency or to pass along a message of importance. Nationally, this system has had much success in notifying the public and we are pleased to be able to integrate the Reverse 911 system into our community safety and communication initiatives to better inform Arlington residents.
About Reverse 911
The Reverse 911 system allows the Town to communicate emergency and important messages to the entire Town or just sections of it, instantly, or over a period of days. Because there are costs associated with an instant Town-wide Reverse 911 call, this service will be used for emergencies only. However, there is no cost if the calls are spread out over days or targeted to a small area. The service can be used in this way for important messages that are not an emergency, but still of high interest to residents. The system has only been used a few times to-date, but has already proved helpful:
· in alerting residents who were directly affected by a water main break on Mill Street last fall,
· in informing the entire Town of the one-week extension of yard waste collection last November,
· and announcing the one-day delay in the collection of refuse due to a snowstorm in January.
When a Reverse 911 call comes in to your phone it may take 2-3 seconds before the announcement starts. Please be patient. If you have caller ID, the call will be identified as "Town of Arlington."
If you received one of the above messages, you are already in the system.
However, due to the multiple options for telecommunications not all residents are in the system. The Reverse 911 system collects some land line phone numbers, but does not collect cell and internet phone providers. Again, if you have already received any of the above messages you are already in the system.
Residents can register via the Request/Answer Center. Select "Service Request Type" Reverse 911 Subscription. Please note, you will need to login first to fill out the form, or for new users, create an account. You may also include additional phone numbers such as your cell or office phone, and remove phone numbers if you have multiple phones at your address. Note that a minimum of one phone number must remain with your address.
If you have questions, please contact Lieutenant Robert Bongiorno at 781-316-3940.
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