DATE: December 2, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Bringing Reverse 911 to San Diego County

SUMMARY:
Overview
The evacuation prompted by the October 2003 fires have demonstrated the need for targeted emergency notification of the residents of specific communities ranging over a large area of the County in the case of a major disaster.

Called the “next level in public safety,” telephone notification systems, or Reverse 911, use GIS mapping software to outline the area to be notified, then calls each wire line telephone number within that area to deliver an emergency message.

The purchase and implementation of a Reverse 911 system would significantly add to the County’s emergency preparedness efforts and supports our overall efforts to protect the public.

RECOMMENDATION(S):
CHAIRMAN GREG COX AND SHERIFF BILL KOLENDER

  1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to explore the feasibility of purchasing and implementing a Reverse 911 system in San Diego County that could be integrated with the existing County Alert Service System (CASS), if integration is appropriate.
  2. Direct the CAO to explore both public and private funding sources to support the Reverse 911 system.
  3. Direct the CAO to report back to the Board of Supervisors in 120 days with recommendations on the implementation and funding of a Reverse 911 system.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this proposal.

BACKGROUND:
The evacuation prompted by the October 2003 fires have demonstrated the need for targeted emergency notification of the residents of specific communities ranging over a large area of the County in the case of a major disaster.

Called the “next level in public safety,” telephone notification systems, or Reverse 911, use GIS mapping software to outline the area to be notified, then calls each wire line telephone number within that area to deliver an emergency message.

Reverse 911 technology is already in place in major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Indianapolis, and Santa Barbara. The system is customizable, and would allow the County to deliver appropriate messages in any scenario, from a small event to major disaster or terrorist attack.

Currently, San Diego County Medical Services subscribes to a notification system known as the County Alert Service System (CASS) that can be used for the rapid notification of a small group of under 200 medical personnel during crisis situations. In the case of a large-scale emergency, a fully functional Reverse 911 system would be needed to notify the public.

Today’s action would direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to explore the feasibility of implementing a Reverse 911 system in San Diego County that could be integrated with the CASS system, if practical, and directs the CAO to explore both public and private funding sources to support the Reverse 911 system.

The purchase of a Reverse 911 system would significantly add to the County’s emergency preparedness efforts and supports our overall efforts to protect the public.

I urge your support for these recommendations!


Respectfully submitted,

GREG COX
Chairman

BILL KOLENDER
Sheriff