Southington Mulling Payment, Policy for ‘Reverse 9-1-1’ System

The town has settled on the concept of purchasing an Everbridge emergency alert system, often referred to as a “Reverse 9-1-1” system, but there are still several details that need to be completed before the system is installed in Southington.

Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback said this week that the Board of Finance will be asked to propose a funding option for the new system, which will cost $15,000 to bring online in the first year and $10,000 to maintain each year after that.

“We were looking at for several different things and this is a system we will be able to use for a variety of emergency management services,” Brumback said. “It’s not limited to the whole community; we can use it as a public service tool if there are road closures or contact specific neighborhoods with info unique to them when trying keep residents informed.”

The town first began exploring the purchase of an emergency alert system in February after a blizzard left the town covered with approximately 3.5 feet of snow. Residents expressed frustrations about not knowing when plows were coming or who to contact in an emergency.

After members of the Southington Town Council began exploring systems, Brumback said a combination of quality and abilities paired with a reasonable price range led the town to settle on Everbridge for the service.

The company specializes in emergency alert notification and has a presence in 100 countries worldwide, including providing services for the American Red Cross, according to the company website. The company also provides services to the Connecticut State Police.

The system will automatically include numbers available in the phonebook, but residents who do not have listed numbers will still have the option of signing up said Christopher Palmieri, council minority leader.

“This type of service is something we are receiving now through the Board of Education (for school emergencies) and it has been so helpful in getting important information out there quickly,” said Palmieri, . “With a growing elderly population in the community, some without Internet access, this will be a critical tool. It is a great step forward.”

But John Barry, who first suggested purchasing the system, said the town needs to be weary of how Everbridge could be misused and said the town needs to develop a clear policy regarding who has access and for what purposes the alerts will be sent out.

Barry noted that he has seen emergency alert systems misused in the past to send out political messages, some even during an election campaign, and he simply wants to make sure such an issue does not and could not happen in Southington.

“I do think there could be a tendency to abuse the system,” he said. “It can serve other purposes as well but it should never be used for promotion of political cause or a voice for someone a week before election. There needs to be a clear policy in place that assures this is used in way that is appropriate.”

Barry said he would be interested in seeing specific individuals only serving as a spokesman for the community, using the council chairman as an example.

Brumback said he would look to develop a policy and bring a draft to the council for potential changes and approval before the system is activated.

“I’m certainly in favor of it, it’s important for people be informed, but we need to be cautious,” he said.

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