In Case of Disaster, Call 211
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In partnership with the Council of Massachusetts United Ways, MEMA will use Mass211 as the state's primary information call center during times of emergency. The easy-to-remember 211 telephone number will be utilized as a resource for human service and public safety/disaster response and planning agencies.
"You can use the number for anything as simple as 'A snowstorm has hit and I need to know if the courts are open tomorrow because I have jury duty.' Or it can be as bad as 'My house was lost in the flood.' It really runs the gamut," said Peter Judge, a spokesman for MEMA.
The number, which is currently used as a human service resource used from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, will now also be activated during emergency situations. Mass211 will provide the lastest emergency information and response to rumors through their call center and Web site.
This new partnership will offer citizens the opportunity for "one-stop-shopping," with access to vital updated disaster information, numerous postdisaster programs, interpreter services, and tracking of caller locations. Mass211 will also have the ability to act as the registration site for spontaneous volunteers and donations from the public during an emergency or crisis.
"This is for nonlife-threatening emergencies not tying up local police," said Judge.
According to Judge, Massachusetts adopted the program after other New England states implemented the emergency 211 plan. At no cost to state residents, the Mass211 program is run by volunteers and is accessible by cell phone.
More information is available at www.mass211.org.
MEMA is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters. It provides leadership to develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and manmade. For additional information about MEMA, go to www.mass.gov/mema.
