Broadcast Communications gives public health in Wisconsin, at the state
and local level, the ability to quickly communicate urgent information
with their partners. Broadcast Communications is the ability to create,
target and send a message to a large number of recipients in a short
amount of time using a variety of modes - phone, fax, text, and
email.
What product provides public health with broadcast communications
capability?
The Division of Public Health (DPH), working with an Expert Panel on
Broadcast Communications, recently selected the CityWatch Alerting System
from Avtex Solutions as a replacement for the aging CommandCaller system.
The DPH
CityWatch Alerting System, (PDF, 93 KB) which
will be rolled out summer 2009, is a secure, modern, web-based emergency
notification system. The DPH CityWatch Alerting System sends health
alerts, health advisories and health updates on a 24/7/365 basis via
phone, cell, text messaging, fax, pager, and email. The DPH CityWatch
Alerting System will include statewide contact lists, agency contact lists
and other contacts that are accessed through specific permission rights.
Why do we need it?
The Wisconsin Public Health community needs a modern, flexible
emergency notification system to meet its Public Health Emergency
Preparedness (PHEP) responsibilities and to meet the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention Public Health Information Network (PHIN)
requirements for Partner Communications and Alerting.
Who will use DPH CityWatch Alerting System?
Initially, the system will only be used by public health (local, tribe,
consortia, and state), State Lab of Hygiene and hospitals. The DPH
CityWatch Alerting System may be used at a later date for Continuity of
Operations by the Department of Health Services. Other public health
partners (e.g. emergency management, fire, EMS, and police) will not have
access to the DPH system - they will be message recipients only.
How will the DPH CityWatch Alerting System be used?
The DPH CityWatch Alerting System is intended to be used statewide and
at the local level to disseminate time-sensitive and/or emergency response
information (actual or exercise) to public health agencies and public
health partners. It is only intended to be used for communications
classified as health alerts, health advisories, health updates, and
testing.
How
can I learn more?
Contact the Division of Public Health Partner Communications and
Alerting staff at: DHSPHalert@wisconsin.gov
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Last Revised: July 21, 2009
