Automated Call-Out

From PCSAR

PCSAR is planning on implementing an automated call-out system, where a computer simultaneously dials the members and plays a message alerting them to the event.

Options

Two offers to piggy-back on existing systems have been made.

As part of the H2S Protocol, Shell has offered use of their system.

The Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency (PCCEMA) is rolling out a system of their own to notify residents of major emergencies.

There was also a commercial option that Eric Bruder was looking at. Unfortunately, I don't have the details on which system that was.

Feature	Shell	PCCEMA
Terms
Cost	free	one free usage per month; US$.15 per call thereafter (about CA$20 for a full call-out)
Advantage to partner	tests their system; practice	tests their system; PCSAR callers could be asked to help with PCCEMA incident
Future	long term	PCCEMA is renegotiating with its supplier RapidFire in one year; expect to be able to continue offer to PCSAR
Initiation
By phone	yes - call Shell	yes - call 24hr Customer Service, provide password
By computer	no	yes
Who is Contacted
Predefined lists	one	unlimited; e.g. each type of call
Select from within list	no	no
Merge lists	no	yes, but duplicates called multiple times
Call only those that haven't already been called on another list	no	no
Try again - call those that didn't answer	no	yes
Phone numbers per contact (list entry)	2	3
Dial an extension	no	no
Play person's name - who is being asked for?	no	no
Messages
Prerecorded messages	1+test	unlimited
Record on the fly	no	yes
Caller ID displayed	Shell's phone number	Any phone number; Call Back #
Send text message	no	yes
Send email	no, but PCSAR provides	yes
Reports
verbal	no	no
e-mail	no	no
online	no	yes
who was called	no	yes
which numbers answered	no	yes
Response, I can come	no	yes
Response, How long before I'm there	no	yes