Sign Up For Village's Swift 911 Notification System

In its continuing efforts to provide the most reliable communications during an emergency like that of superstorm Sandy, officials encourage all residents and businesses within the village to sign up for Garden City's emergency notification system supplied by Swiftreach Networks, Inc. (Swift 911).

Swift 911 is a computerized telephone calling system used to notify residents and businesses of a situation such as a lost child or Alzheimer's patient to gas leaks and water main breaks to bomb threats and natural disasters or fires and flooding.

The village has had the system in place since late 2007 but has only used it a handful of times since. Garden City was required to put something in place by the Nassau County Health Department because the village is a water provider. Former Fire Captain Harry G. Frank was instrumental in the mass outcalling system's acquisition and set up.

Trustee John DeMaro suggested the village test the system to make sure it's working for those already signed up. According to village clerk Brian Ridgway, "a test is being planned."

When the system is activated at Village Hall, each resident and business within the Village of Garden City receives an alert via telephone and/or text message. This system is similar to the notifications sent by the Garden City School District during emergencies like Tuesday's bomb threat at Stratford School. The district's system, however, is not linked to the village's.

Register through an online portal on Garden City's homepage. You'll be asked to provide your name, address, primary phone number and three alternate phone numbers where you can be reached. Residents can also send a brief note to the attention of the Village Clerk, 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 11530, providing your name, address and telephone number.