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City of Dallas, Office of Emergency Management
1500 Marilla, L2AN
Dallas, Texas75201
CONTACT: Josh Roberts, (214) 670-4275

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2012

Press Release

City of Dallas Rolls-Out New Reverse, Emergency Phone Notification System

Dallas, Texas: The City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announces the implementation and deployment of a new reverse emergency phone notification system, called GeoCast®Web. This is replacing the previous system calledREVERSE 911®.

Like its predecessor, GeoCast®Web™ is an emergency warning tool that will be used to provide rapid phone notifications to people in situations when public safety may be at risk. It will only be used during emergencies, such as chemical spills or hazardous materials incidents, fire or flooding evacuation scenarios, and drinking water contamination.

“Ensuring timely and adequate warning to the public during times of potential or imminent danger is one of the more important jobs we have as emergency managers,” said Kenny ShawDirector of Dallas OEM. “We are always looking for ways to improve risk communications to Dallas residents and businesses,” added Shaw, “and GeoCast provides us with enhanced warning capability…in an efficient, reputable and effective manner.”

Used by hundreds of public safety agencies nationwide, the GeoCast®Web™ system combines highly advanced digital mapping technologies with phone databases to automatically call people in precisely targeted locations. All landline phone numbers within Dallas city limits are already included in the GeoCast®Web™ system however, cell phones are not. Registration is required to receive GeoCast®Web™ notifications on cell phones.

Individuals may register for these notifications via the City of Dallas OEM’s website, or directly through the system’s self-registration web portal, located at Also, hard copy registration forms can be found at City libraries, City Park & Recreation facilities and at City police and fire stations. It is important to note that people who have already registered with the previous system (REVERSE 911®) are already included in this new system (GeoCast®Web™).

While the City of Dallas offers this emergency notification service free of charge, minutes may be deducted from individual cell phone plans. Calls will typically be less than two minutes.

“Even though we have the new GeoCast®Web™ emergency phone notification system, we still want to remind everyone that no single tool will provide enough warning to all people in all situations,” added Shaw. “While this new system may give us emergency officials greater capabilities, it is only one component of the overall public safety communications strategy. During emergencies, people should always seek out information from as many reliable sources as possible.”

More information about the GeoCast®Web™ emergencynotification system, including an informational flyer and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), are available for download from Dallas OEM’s website, located at

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