ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) — The city of Ashland is working on a reverse 911 system that officials hope to have in operation by July for the summer fire season.
The Ashland Daily Tidings reports the reverse 9-1-1 system will allow the city to call residents about disasters like fires and floods. It can also provide information on extreme weather, crime, utility outages and disruptive public works projects.
City officials recognized a need for a reverse 911 system during the 2009 Siskiyou Fire that burned woods and a home on Ashland’s southeast outskirts. The fast-moving Oak Knoll neighborhood fire that destroyed 11 homes last August also showed the need for the system.
The Ashland City Council last week approved spending $4,500 annually to join the city of Medford and Jackson County to run the system.
