Use of NWS Geospatial Hazard Information In Reverse Calling Systems

Dispatch centers are increasing their use of reverse calling technologies to reach community members for a wide range of emergency situations, including weather, river, and tsunami hazards. These systems use GIS layers that are interfaced with phone numbers for an area of dispatch responsibility. Even the most robust reverse calling systems, however, have constraints in their call making rate that can compromise the system's ability to execute timely notification. This suggests that the ideal polygon minimizes the number of calls to people who don't need to be alerted. The goal of this project was to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using National Weather Service geospatial hazard information to develop polygons for automated use in reverse calling systems. To execute a cost effective proof-of-concept project, this effort focused on hazards for which polygons were developed ahead of time and could be preloaded into the reverse calling systems. The hazards included tsunami inundation, river flooding, and dam break inundation. The preloaded hazard polygons will significantly decrease the time it takes for dispatchers to launch reverse calling systems, and it will reduce the number of unnecessary calls made. The result will be community members who are in danger will be notified faster.