Commissioners Court approve Mass Notification Emergency System

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Commissioners Court approved unanimously a service agreement between Maverick County and Everbridge, Inc. for a Mass Notification System at their special meeting held on Monday December 29, 2014.

Emergency Operation Center Director Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma presented the item to Commissioners Court and stated that the cost of the subscription to the mass notification system would be $6,875.48 for a one year subscription.

“It is a small investment for the well- being of our residents and security of our property,” said Vielma.

Vielma stated the recommendation to accept the service agreement with Everbridge, Inc. was based on experience and the City of Eagle Pass had also recently contracted with the company for the City’s mass notifications system. Vielma noted it was important for both the County and City to use the same mass notification emergency system.

The system will cover residents within the Maverick County boundaries and will allow   emergency notifications to be sent out through different sources such as text, e-mails, phone, and other communication systems available.

The new emergency notification system once implemented will allow the County to send vital emergency information to the public and safety reminders, as well as poll the general public on important public issues.

Maverick County citizens will have to voluntarily register with the mass notification system once implemented. “All Maverick County citizens are encouraged to register with the mass notification system,” said Vielma. The public will be notified once the mass notification system has been implemented and how they can register with it.