Town to Alert Households of Major Emergencies
—Emails to residents will aid in crisis management

By Lloyd Garrison
Norfolk is preparing a “First Alert” system using email to inform
homeowners of any threats related to weather, road conditions, public
health and personal security.

Shortly, the town’s 852 households will get a letter from First Selectman
Sue Dyer inviting recipients to provide an email address, home phone and
cell phone number. The information will go into a confidential database. “It
is strictly voluntary,” says Dyer. “We will not share your information and
you can unsubscribe at any time.”

Neighboring towns, such as Barkhamsted, have launched similar alert
systems, and Norfolk’s selectmen were more than receptive when the
Coalition for Sound Growth stepped up with a plan and the funds to back
it up. Mary Fannett, a member of the non-profit CSG, will oversee the
project.

“The idea is to be able to communicate news of emergencies
quickly without having to call a meeting,” says CSG President Vint
Lawrence. “Considering what happened in Boston, this is rather important.”

A second phase of the project will involve the Economic Development
Commission in setting up a similar list of email recipients who will be
part of a “Community Electronic Address Registry.” The registry’s email
addresses will permit the town to convey changes in the town calendar
and give Norfolk non-profit organizations a way to inform members of
upcoming events. Once again, CSG will provide the funding to support the
database.

The cost to CSG of establishing the registry and first alert databases is
likely to total $5,000.

The CSG’s latest collaboration with the Board of Selectmen comes
on the heels of their $15,000 investment in low interest loans to assist
deserving local businesses looking to expand or buy new equipment. Loan
applications are being overseen by the Norfolk branch of National Iron
Bank.