City of Dallas, Office of Emergency Management
1500 Marilla, L2AN
Dallas, Texas 75201
CONTACT: Josh Roberts, (214) 670-4275
www.dallascityhall.com/oem
twitter.com/DallasOEM
facebook.com/OEMDallas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
City of Dallas Rolls-Out New Reverse, Emergency Phone Notification System
Dallas, Texas: The City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announces the
implementation and deployment of a new reverse emergency phone notification system, called
GeoCast®Web. This is replacing the previous system called REVERSE 911®.
Like its predecessor, GeoCast®Web™ is an emergency warning tool that will be used to provide
rapid phone notifications to people in situations when public safety may be at risk. It will only
be used during emergencies, such as chemical spills or hazardous materials incidents, fire or
flooding evacuation scenarios, and drinking water contamination.
“Ensuring timely and adequate warning to the public during times of potential or imminent
danger is one of the more important jobs we have as emergency managers,” said Kenny Shaw
Director of Dallas OEM. “We are always looking for ways to improve risk communications to
Dallas residents and businesses,” added Shaw, “and GeoCast provides us with enhanced
warning capability…in an efficient, reputable and effective manner.”
Used by hundreds of public safety agencies nationwide, the GeoCast®Web™ system combines
highly advanced digital mapping technologies with phone databases to automatically call
people in precisely targeted locations. All landline phone numbers within Dallas city limits are
already included in the GeoCast®Web™ system however, cell phones are not. Registration is
required to receive GeoCast®Web™ notifications on cell phones.
Individuals may register for these notifications via the City of Dallas OEM’s website,
www.dallascityhall.com/oem, or directly through the system’s self-registration web portal,
located at https://cityofdallas.onthealert.com. Also, hard copy registration forms can be found
at City libraries, City Park & Recreation facilities and at City police and fire stations. It is
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED FOR CITY’S OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM
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important to note that people who have already registered with the previous system (REVERSE
911®) are already included in this new system (GeoCast®Web™).
While the City of Dallas offers this emergency notification service free of charge, minutes may
be deducted from individual cell phone plans. Calls will typically be less than two minutes.
“Even though we have the new GeoCast®Web™ emergency phone notification system, we still
want to remind everyone that no single tool will provide enough warning to all people in all
situations,” added Shaw. “While this new system may give us emergency officials greater
capabilities, it is only one component of the overall public safety communications strategy.
During emergencies, people should always seek out information from as many reliable sources
as possible.”
More information about the GeoCast®Web™ emergency notification system, including an
informational flyer and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), are available for download from
Dallas OEM’s website, located at www.dallascityhall.com/oem.
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