Arizona 2-1-1 Online Offers Valuable Emergency Info<br/>

By Laura Douglas Arizona Division of Emergency Management As Arizona enters what promises to be a long and dangerous fire season, residents across the state will need timely and accurate information on what to do when a fire sparks in their communities. Arizona 2-1-1 Online is an effective new tool to use during an emergency to help get critical information to the public quickly, such as fire growth, evacuations, and road closures. The 2-1-1 website (www.az211.gov) was launched in June, 2005. It provides not only emergency information about disasters like wildland fires, floods and monsoon rains, but also health and human service information. The emergency information is posted as events happen, as a means to protect life and property. The 2-1-1 website also provides valuable information on preparedness, such as how to protect your home from wildland fires, how to build a disaster kit and how to protect yourself and your family from seasonal hazards and public health concerns. "The 2-1-1 website is really a one-stop shop for information," said Judy Kioski, Public Information Officer for the Arizona Division of Emergency Management. "During an emergency, there are always several agencies that need to get information out to the public. This website allows them to do that, so that residents can take protective measures." When an emergency is ongoing, information is posted around the clock once it is submitted to the team that updates the Emergency Bulletins System (EBS). The agencies that submit information include all levels of government: state, county, city and tribal. The emergency response agencies that submit information to 2-1-1 include fire, police, sheriff's offices, emergency managers, transportation offices, health departments, hospitals, school districts, etc. Volunteer agencies like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army also submit information to 2-1-1, so citizens know how to get involved during an emergency or disaster. All agencies that submit information to 2-1-1 should be identified ahead of time, before an emergency even happens in their communities. Agencies are asked to submit a list of authorized agents to the EBS teama list of designated people from their offices who will provide information to 2-1-1 during an emergency or disaster. That list can include managers, supervisors, or public information officers. The EBS team does not accept emergency information from the public. Once an emergency happens, information is posted on 2-1-1 in two different ways. A Newsflash Alert is a red headline that is located at the top of the 2-1-1 home page (www.az211.gov). It always indicates the most important event going on right now, and it will link to additional emergency information. A Bulletin provides that additional information, and also provides links to other resources, such as press releases, pictures, maps, websites and hotlines. "The 2-1-1 EBS team is able to post information 24 hours a day, seven days a week as updates to an emergency situation come in," said Kioski. "Arizona 2-1-1 Online is a great new tool for both the public and emergency response agencies to use." The next step for the system is to develop call centers around the state, so that residents can dial 2-1-1 to get the same information that is listed on the website. The call centers are currently in the planning phase and could be up and running within a year.