Vocal launch new Warn and Inform strategy in Bristol. Learn how Vocal are delivering a multi-agency initiative in partnership with the local services to promote continuity awareness and information sharing on local issues.
COLCHESTER, UK, June 24, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bristol hosts first UK 'Alert' seminar - bringing together civil authorities and businesses in times of increased security
Bristol became the first City in the UK to launch a series of seminars on a new 'warn and inform strategy' which sees the civil authorities partnering with local businesses to improve communications on events and incidents likely to cause disruption at whatever level.
Bristol City Council in partnership with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary hosted the first of a series of seminars presented by Vocal - the award winning business continuity and communication specialists of priority alert services, and City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening security and business continuity in commercial zones. The next seminar takes place in Milton Keynes on 28th June.
The 'Warn and Inform' solution, powered by Vocal's iModus emergency notification system, successfully operates in a number of cities throughout the world. With a heightened level of security throughout the summer across the UK, civil authorities and businesses are having to work even more closely together to ensure security and safety.
The service will enable Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Constabulary to send emergency messages to and from the system to subscribers by pager, email and text message. The information provided by the council and the police may cover a broad range from planned events or disruptive protests, to fires, major utility disruptions, possible criminal or terrorist incidents.
Simon Creed, Civil Protection Manager, Bristol City Council, comments, "This is a good way of keeping businesses informed faster about things happening in the Bristol area. By using the iModus emergency notification system we can reach thousands of businesses instantly, and recipients will know that they are receiving information from a single, trusted source. With this system, we can achieve a coordinated, multi-agency response." commented.
The system is not just for large corporate and multinationals. Yesterday's seminar brought together a range of businesses from Bristol and the surrounding area including sole traders and representatives from large global corporations. Trevor Wheatley-Perry, Managing Director - Vocal, adds, "For the authorities and business leaders in Bristol to come together and make others aware of how important the issues and solutions are, is a massive step in ensuring they have the best 'warn and inform solution' available."
Peter Naish, a counter terrorism security expert and advisor to the Avon and Somerset Police adds,
"In the event of a major incident the importance of communicating the relevant information to our communities cannot be underestimated. The Bristol Alert scheme is a valuable tool especially for the business community, and enables the police and authorities to warn and inform them with timely and appropriate messages".
The 'Warn and Inform' programme has two solutions. The 'iContinuity' solution is free and gives
businesses and residents a simple tool suite with on-going advice and provides an email only alert service. The 'priority alerts' solution is business focused and is a subscription service that provides 'real time' information from a variety of communication sources including sms, email and pager.
Vocal works with cities across the country to deliver successful iContinuity and Priority Alert Services. iModus sends 20 million messages per day, helping over 1500 organisations globally, across both the public and private sector to communicate
