Previous Story
PTI launches 2-1-1 feature for NMI
|
Posted on Sep 10 2008
CNMI residents now have a dedicated access line for weather updates at their fingertips. Just by dialing 2-1-1 on any landline phone or cellular phone, callers immediately hear an up-to-date recording of the latest daily and weekly weather forecasts at no additional cost.
2-1-1 was first launched by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta in 1997 for the purpose of providing callers with information regarding community and volunteer services for everyday needs or in times of crisis.
According to Genevieve Miller, meteorologist-in-charge at the NOAA weather forecast office in Guam, “such service existed since the early ’80s, but it wasn’t until Nov .1, 2005, that the 8-1-1 was switched to 2-1-1 to be in compliance with an FCC mandate.” She explains that the recording is directly from their NOAA Weather Radio base station, which is located at their Tiyan office and covers the Marianas region.
The CNMI now joins more than 30 states including the District of Columbia in having a 2-1-1 center. While services offered varies for each state and community, the 2-1-1 line for the CNMI will primarily be used for weather updates, safety tips and real time information during and after a storm or a tsunami warning.
All CNMI residents “will get the most current positions of the tropical cyclone, information about the cyclone, information on the effects to the islands and emergency information that the CNMI Emergency Management Office will provide to protect life and property,” said Miller.
In order to ensure that all CNMI residents could benefit from 2-1-1 services, PTI approached IConnect and SaipanCell who both agreed to also offer the service at no charge.
“Such joint efforts from all the major players in the telecommunication industry only proves our commitment in providing quality and reliable communication and at the same time acting in the best interest of the community by being socially responsible,” states Kathryn Barry, Regional Marketing Manager of PTI.
“I would like to thank IConnect and SaipanCell for joining PTI in keeping the CNMI up-to-date,” added Barry.
For more information, you may log on to http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/ or call 682-4PTI. (PTI)
