LIVINGSTON COUNTY – All local residents are encouraged to register their mobile devices for Hyper-Reach, a mass-alert emergency communications system that disseminates urgent information in the event of an incident that endangers the public at large.
According to a press release from Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Hyper Reach allows the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center (911) deliver a recorded emergency message in 5,000 calls per hour in the event of a public threat or alert like hazardous chemical releases, missing persons, and barricaded persons, providing guidance on what precautions need to be taken by residents during and after the incident.
“Our citizens’ safety, and getting important information out to them as quickly as possible, is a priority for our Sheriff, our office, and our County,” said Bill Mann, Director of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division. “We encourage our citizens to take a moment and register their mobile devices so we can communicate with as many of our citizens as possible when emergency information needs to get out. Your safety, and getting important information to you as quickly as possible, is important to us.”
All hard-wired telephones in Livingston County are automatically listed to receive these alerts. However, there is no central registry of mobile phones. Individuals need to register their mobile devices with Hyper-Reach in order to receive the alerts.
Dougherty said that the number of people who are dependent on their mobile telephone is climbing at an amazing rate. Almost two-thirds of the calls made to 911 come from these devices.
According to the CTIA, a telecommunications provider association, 91% of the population is using some form of mobile device with 24.5% of households eliminating their hard-wire telephone in favor of wireless only.
Dougherty added that registration only takes a minute and all information is kept confidential. Users have the option of receiving an audio message, text message, or both along with an email alert. If a user moves addresses, they can use the same method to update their address.
You may use the link to Hyper-Reach here, or scan the below QR code with a smartphone to start the process.
Scan this QR code to start registration to Hyper-Reach. (Image/Livingston County Sheriff’s Office)