What we do ....

We provide high-speed emergency notifications to ....

Municipalities, State Agencies, Federal Agencies, institutions of Higher Education, Schools, Industries, and Corporations.

The FirstCall Emergency Notification System is a fast, effective, and efficient method for delivering real-time alerts. We are a focused interactive multi-media emergency communications solution.

Instantly Notify Everyone by ....

      Phone            Cell              SMS             Email          Info Line

as well as by pagers, TTY/TTD devices, computer desktops, Windows Mobile devices and digital signage. The system can be activated over our secure website using any Internet connection or by calling our 24 hour operators from any phone.


How we provide alerts ....

Alerts are provided through our ∞infinity Emergency Notification Suite of services:

Emergency Notification Service - Our battle tested service provides GIS map and / or Fixed List notification utilizing our web based or operator assisted user interface.

BlurtAlert for Desktops - BlurtAlert will override the regular application and display real time, visible instant pop-up notification of alerts on all PC screens, Digital Signage, and Windows Mobile based phones.

Inbound Community Information Line Service - An important tool that is an inbound toll free service, which allows emergency professionals the ability to provide the community with timely recorded information about emergencies occurring in an area.

Digital Signage Emergency Service - Selected features of the Blurt Desktop Alert for instant pop-up notification of alerts on Digital Signage and also has an easy to use content creation, content management, and High-Definition playback interface.

All of these services are integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) hosted solutions

 
How we are rated after bid evaluations compared to other vendors ...

The comparison scorecard chart below is based on the analysis of public data available in multiple public filings regarding RFP submittals.

Ask us for detailed analysis information about a notification company you might currently be considering. See why we consistently outpace other vendors.

FirstCall is dedicated to investing in R&D to bring new "First to Market" technology to our clients



Scorecard Chart 

Maximum Points

FirstCall Network

Vendor
1

Vendor
2

Vendor
3

Vendor
4

Vendor
5

Vendor
6

35.00

30.27

27.20

24.94

21.34

22.40

21.34

19.86

8.00

6.44

5.92

5.87

4.71

4.71

4.71

4.09

10.00

8.05

7.40

7.33

5.89

5.89

5.89

5.11

4.00

3.22

2.96

2.93

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.05

3.00

2.42

2.22

2.20

1.77

1.77

1.77

1.53

10.00

8.05

7.40

7.33

5.89

5.89

5.89

5.11

30.00

26.10

2.61

5.22

23.36

19.58

10.44

19.58

100.00

84.56

62.51

62.06

70.63

66.85

57.71

62.30

The larger the number equals a better ranking score. For example: Pricing has 30 available points. A score for a vendor of 25 indicates
a low cost bid price. A score of 30 is the benchmark and equals the lowest cost bid price.

 
FirstCall, the industry's pioneer, has experience, battle
tested proven performance and a satisfied client base

Call us at 800-653-9232 to speak to a trained expert.


Slide Show


Featured Partner
        
Sirens

FirstCall's partner for physical Mass Notification is McCord Communications who is uniquely qualified to provide your physical security public warning needs. McCord Communications represents a wide variety of products for Mass Notification Systems to accommodate almost every situation . Top quality in products and service is the approach we take to our business and that is reflected in the systems we design and all the work that we do.

Outdoor sirens and other warning devices can add security and help communities prepare for extreme weather and other possible dangers. McCord Communications offers high- powered voice and tone-only siren systems to meet your communities' needs.  McCord Communications has over 15 years of system design, implementation, installation and maintenance of Whelen outdoor warning products.


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FirstCall Saves Seconds ... Seconds Save Lives


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Phone: (800) 653-9232
Fax: (225) 295-8273
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Phone: (800) 653-9232
Fax: (225) 295-8273

 
January 5, 2009

This letter is in strong support of the FirstCall! and Mr. Matthew Teague. Louisiana Tech University implemented FirstCall! in production last April and we have had 100% positive results so far. Our test drills and real emergency alerts have worked well, with several thousand text messages going out within 2 minutes. E-mail takes a little longer to process, as expected considering 18,000 e-mails arrive suddenly.

FirstCall!'s contract with Louisiana higher education schools was a sudden and huge increase in their customer base, with many schools wanting it done 'their way' and 'immediately'. I was extremely impressed with how calm their support staff remained and how patiently they worked with us in a high-stress situation. Matt and his cohorts are always responsive to our occasional call for assistance, are helpful, and handle suggested changes when practical.

I strongly recommend FirstCall!. Our experience with them has been positive and we have a good working relationship.

Roy Waters, Director
Louisiana Tech Computing Center


January 5, 2009

Devin Broome
Executive Director of Information Technology and Digital Media
University of Louisiana System
(225) 342-6950
FAX: (225) 342-8745
E-mail: devin@uls.state.la.us

To whom it may concern,

FirstCall Network, Inc. has been providing Emergency Notification Services to the University of Louisiana System since February of 2008. 

The University of Louisiana System, one of the nation's twenty largest public systems of higher education, has provided access to higher education through its eight universities located throughout the state. Our universities enroll about 80,000 students of all ages and backgrounds, and offer over 600 academic degree programs. We are working hard to meet the changing needs of students, offering more than just educational needs we are committed to their safety as well. 

The University of Louisiana System has used the FirstCall System multiple times over the course of the year, and as recent as this past hurricane season in which Louisiana was effected by back-to-back hurricanes Gustav and Ike. FirstCall was able to quickly notify the students from each campus and inform them of the unique circumstances each campus was expected to endure. 
The University of Louisiana System selected FirstCall Network, Inc. as its preferred vendor for Emergency Notification because of their longevity and experience in the industry, 24/7 operators, the hardened infrastructure and the redundancies that are in place.

If you should have any questions about our experience, please do not hesitate to call me.

Sincerely,

Devin Broome
Executive Director of Information Technology and Digital Media
(225) 342-6950
E-mail: devin@uls.state.la.us


April 13, 2006

Dear Matt:

Thank you for the outstanding technical support and customer service you have provided to me and my client, the East Harris County Manufacturers Association, over the past five years.

EHCMA is a voluntary alliance of approximately 125 chemical manufacturers, oil refiners, and distribution/storage terminal managers in the Houston, Texas, area. It is the largest network of its kind in the world. EHCMA member facilities employ over 33,000 workers and provide more than $10.4 billion dollars per year to the local economy through taxes, payroll, and purchases.

FirstCall Network has been a key “solution provider” to help EHCMA solve two critical needs: 

• FirstCall operates and maintains EHCMA’s CAER Line (281-476-2237) allowing member plants to post Emergency and General Information messages in English or Spanish about plant explosions, fires and chemical releases that may impact adjacent plants or the public. FirstCall’s dedicated phone lines allow up to 400 persons to simultaneously call the CAER Line which receives more than 20,000 calls per year. 

• FirstCall provides outbound telephone notification services for EHCMA’s Security Notification System allowing EHCMA to quickly notify all 125 Plant Security Directors at work, home, or via cell phone about any security threat or terrorist attack against any member company or the nation’s critical infrastructure of petrochemical facilities.

EHCMA selected FirstCall as its preferred vendor for these critical projects because of your 24/7 customer service and technical support, plus your backup phone, power, and facility capabilities.

Finally, I appreciate how you and your staff have quickly responded to my customer service requests and been willing to drive from Baton Rouge to Houston to participate in EHCMA’s annual training seminars. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Chuck Wolf
Vice President
Media Consultants


March 10, 2006

FirstCall System Will Make County Safer
Source: The Islander Daily News

Galveston County, Texas – Galveston County is a great place to live for those who are not fortunate enough to live in Galveston County it is a wonderful place to visit, too. Recreational opportunities abound in Galveston County with its 60 miles of beach, numerous bays and bayous, and Clear Lake and Clear Creek.

In addition to recreation and tourism, these water systems provide an important economic benefit to Galveston County. The Port of Texas City provides the shipping for much of the area’s petrochemical industry. The Port of Galveston also serves as a major shipping hub for the region. Incredible volumes of goods and materials pass through Galveston County on their way to the port of Houston our up and down the coast via the Inter-coastal Waterway.

While our location provides us with a tremendous quality of life, there are hazards associated with living here. Galveston County is the site of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, The Great Storm of 1900. Galveston County also is home of the worst industrial disaster in U.S. history, the Texas City ship explosions of 1947. The threat of hurricanes, flooding, or hazardous material incidents are constant and realistic.

We can, however, minimize the risk to life and property from these threats. Traditionally we have relied on local television, radio, and law enforcement personnel to alert citizens of potential hazards. Now with the recent adoption of the FirstCall Network (a 24 hour emergency telephone notification system) by Galveston County Commissioners Court, we can further minimize the risk of harm to our citizens. Bow, a life-saving warning may be just a phone call away.

The FirstCall Network system utilizes 1344 dedicated digital circuits to disseminate messages to the public. Thousands of residents can be notified in a relatively short period of a potential hazard in their community. Texas City and LaMarque have utilized FirstCall for several years now, with good results. I am pleased that we can now provide the same early warning to citizens in every other city, as well as the unincorporated areas, of the county.

These are several fantastic features to this system:
• First, it allows us to customize almost every feature to fit our unique needs.
• Second, it can target a specific area, whether the target area is an individual city block, an entire subdivision or an entire city.
• Third, each jurisdiction has its own account number and determines when and how to use the system.
• Fourth, the system can send a pre-recorded and/or custom message, depending upon the needs of the jurisdiction.
• Fifth, all unlisted and cellular numbers can be added to the system and will remain confidential.
• Sixth, FirstCall is staffed 24/7/365 with live operators providing customer support.
• Seventh, but not least, there is no need for additional equipment. All we need is any telephone anywhere to access the system and the message is sent out immediately.

It is truly a flexible system that each jurisdiction can adjust can adjust to meet its specific needs.
The FirstCall Network gives us another early warning tool during emergencies. We are sure it will be our most valuable tool in the months and years ahead.

Submitted By:
Eddie Barr - Galveston County Commissioner Precinct District 1


December 14, 2005                                           Office of Emergency Management
                                                                           County of Spartanburg

In May 2005, the Spartanburg County Office of Emergency Management purchased the FirstCall Interactive Network. Since then, we've worked closely with FirstCall as we collectively strive to provide the citizens of Spartanburg County the best emergency notification system possible. While there is always improvement, I'm very pleased with what we've accomplished. With FirstCall at the helm, we've been able to correct poorly maintained phone data, address mapping inefficiencies, add new features to the system, and deliver 10,000 plus calls since May 05.

When we began the process of implementing this system, we were presented with two large hurdles; poorly maintained phone data and mapping inefficiencies. Initially, we were in a state of panic since the two cornerstones of an effective emergency notification system are accurate phone and mapping data. However, this panic soon subsided when FirstCall uploaded our GIS mapping data and manipulated the phone data in an effort to correct apparent errors or oversights. While these corrections did not happen over night, we commend First Call for their steadfast resolve to correct these inefficiencies. In my opinion, their work ethic and customer service set them apart from the competition. When FirstCall's not resolving problems, they are enhancing their product by adding newly recommended features to the system.

Since we've been with FirstCall, I would like to think we've become one of their power users. We tinker with this system more than most if not all of their other customers. Since we've signed on with FirstCall, FirstCall has added the following features: VPN Demo, Address/Zip Search Feature, Search by Name, Search by Phone, Real Time Status Reports, and Upgrade Fixed List. What ever we've asked them to do, they have done. Very few companies actually adopt the principles they preach during a sales pitch. However, FirstCall is an exception. They provide their customers a notification system where customer service, customer satisfaction, and performance are the top priorities.

From a performance standpoint, the FirstCall product excels. Since we've had the system, we've tested it twice and used it twice. Every activation spoke volumes about the capacity of this system to make calls. While we've never used more than 250 lines for any activation, having a pool of 900 available lines is reassuring. While other companies may boast about more lines, can you control the number of lines used and do they tell you that most call centers cannot handle a huge influx of simultaneous calls (500 or more)? While I'm not attacking those companies who boast of a larger infrastructure, I am saying that many of these companies and most notification companies will not tell you everything you need to know.

Since the beginning, FirstCall has been the most forward and honest company we've dealt with. Our selection process involved a grueling RFP, and several grueling evaluation and product demonstration periods. Our mathematical grading system was designed to select the best product and I feel it did. If you have any questions about the process we went through or would like additional input, feel free to contact my office at 864-595-5368. Whoever you choose for your notification system, please look beyond the sales person and into the company. While thoroughness is not always the most popular option, it yields the best results.

Respectfully,

Robbie Swofford, MPA
Senior Research Analyst


December 14, 2005

To Whom It May Concern:

I am Administrator for the North Channel Local Emergency Planning Committee. The NC LEPC is located in one of the nation's largest chemical / petroleum processing areas near Houston, Texas.

The NC LEPC has used the FirstCall system since 1998, being one of the first LEPC's in Texas to employ the system. Our LEPC's use of the system may be unique as we not only allow access to the system for our Fire Departments (there are 7) and our EMS groups, but we allow industrial members direct access to the system. In addition we have provided Virtual Private Network access to a number of our Fire Departments.

FirstCall constantly is seeking improvements and enhancements to their system.

The easy access and the ability to practice the system completely through the process is a great plus.

It is without reservation that North Channel LEPC can recommend the use of the FirstCall system to any LEPC or EOM group.

Yours very truly,

Gary L. Spaid
Administrator
North Channel LEPC


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FirstCall Saves Seconds ... Seconds Save Lives
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