IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR OAKLAND RESIDENTS ON PANORAMIC HILL

Voluntary Sign-Up to Join Berkeley's

As of June 1, 2004 Berkeley residents have access to a citywide “Reverse 911” service that will automatically notify affected residents of an emergency such as an approaching wildfire or a toxic chemical release. Police and Fire Department officials can identify on a digitized map the areas to be alerted, and can record an appropriate voice message (explaini8ng the nature of the emergency and that action to be taken). The map information along with the message is then transferred electronically to a center located well away from Berkeley. This center then automatically telephones hundreds of phone numbers at once to deliver the message in a timely manner.

You Must Sign-Up Voluntarily

Thanks to Bill Greulich, Head of Berkeley’s Office of Emergency Services, and our own Dick White, this free service will also be made available to Oakland residents on Panoramic Hill. The only issue is that Oakland residents must enroll in the service, whereas Berkeley residents are automatically included.

How to Sign Up for this Potentially Life Saving Service:

To take advantage of this service (which has been proven in emergency situations in other jurisdictions), you must volunteer your contact information to the company, known as FirstCall, that runs the system for the City of Berkeley.

You may do this in either of these two ways:

1. By telephoning the FirstCall “registration line,” at 1-866-484-3264, or,
2. By email at unlisted@firstcall.net

You must supply the following information: Your name, Phone Number, Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code

When you contact information has been entered into the system, you will receive a confirmatory message from FirstCall. They have promised Confidentiality.

We urge you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Note that Berkeley residents have been automatically enrolled in this service, and need take no action.

Hotlink to Sign Up for Reverse 911 Participation

Reverse 911 System Operator