| Manhattan, KS - Social tragedies are transforming | | | | "Effective citizen communication has never been |
| American society, leading government and school | | | | easier or more affordable," states Ward Morgan, |
| authorities to question the old methods of | | | | CEO/Co-Owner. "Our tools are easy to use, which |
| emergency communication. One innovative | | | | is especially important in reacting during times of |
| website company is creating technologically | | | | crisis." One such tool, CivicPlus' nationally known |
| advanced methods to connect with an increasingly | | | | Notify Me system, has set the standard for |
| mobile society during an impending crisis. | | | | emergency communication management. |
| Beyond the traditional media such as newspapers, | | | | Maximizing institutions communication capabilities, |
| TV, radio and websites, other solutions are | | | | the system allows staff members to update the |
| keeping the public informed. Many states, cities, | | | | system using their handheld PDA devices. Once |
| counties and even schools have discovered | | | | those updates are made, community members |
| emergency technologies that automatically notify | | | | are instantly notified. |
| their community of public service announcements | | | | "Access to your website is as close as your Treo |
| by both e-mail and text messages. | | | | or Blackberry," explains Tony Gagnon, President |
| These institutions are utilizing the most advanced | | | | Co-Owner. When website updates are made, the |
| technology available, yet only spending a fraction | | | | public can receive text message or e-mail |
| of a penny per person to keep their students and | | | | notification of the changes and easily view the |
| residents informed. Some of them invest as little | | | | updated website using their PDA devices, such as |
| as $5,000 to set-up this potentially life-saving | | | | Treo phones or Blackberries. |
| technology and then a mere $100 to $250 per | | | | In the wake of every tragedy is the potential to |
| month. | | | | learn from the past and create a society that is |
| This highly efficient means of communication can | | | | prepared for the future. |
| keep constituents up-to-date on any kind of | | | | "The technology to keep citizens abreast of |
| situation - from a trivial broken water pipe or | | | | situations is already available, but communities |
| road closing to the unthinkable tragedy that | | | | must take ownership in their safety and |
| recently struck Virginia Tech. | | | | communication needs. We need to push for this |
| CivicPlus co-owners, Ward Morgan and Tony | | | | technology to be available to our communities and |
| Gagnon have devoted their careers to enhancing | | | | effectively utilize it once it is in place," said Morgan. |
| citizen communication. The company they | | | | #### |
| founded is dedicated to helping cities, counties and | | | | If you would like more information about this |
| schools maximize their communication with | | | | information or to schedule an interview, contact |
| constituents. | | | | Shannon Krueger at 1-888-228-2233 ext. |