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1. What is the Blackboard Connect service?

The Blackboard Connect service allows authorized Warren Township Highway Department staff to create and rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every email address and telephone number stored in the notification database. With the Blackboard Connect service, authorized users can contact thousands of residents/businesses in minutes. Only authorized users are allowed access to the system.

2. How does the service work?

Authorized staff record or compose a voice or email message that is then delivered quickly to individual phones in the notification database.

3. What types of messages will be sent using the service?

Any message regarding the safety or welfare of our community would be disseminated using the Blackboard Connect service. Examples include severe weather warnings and updates, hazardous traffic or road conditions in the jurisdiction the Warren Township Highway Department and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of our residents.

4. Is my telephone number included in the notification database?

It is our intention and hope that every residence and commercial facility in Warren Township Highway Department be included in the notification database. For businesses, we only store one main phone number. For residents, we may have more than one number that belongs to you in the database. Additionally, you may request to have a secondary number be entered into our database for priority calling.

5. May I use a cell phone as my notification database listing?

Yes, we can accept cell phones as secondary phone numbers in the database and encourage you to request that your number be included. You can update your contact information via a paper form available at the Warren Township Highway Department Office or download and return the Opt-In/Opt-Out Form (PDF).

6. What precautions are being taken to protect personal information?

Blackboard Connect takes security and privacy concerns very seriously and does not sell, trade, lease or loan any data about our clients to any third party. From a technical perspective, we utilize multiple physical and virtual layers of firewalls to maintain data security. Blackboard Connect only utilizes secure transmissions with its customers. No confidential information is ever transmitted between Blackboard Connect and its customers using email or FTP; all information is secure using VPN or FTP. 

Data is hosted in state-of-the-art facilities which require photo identification, thumb-print recognition, keyed access, and are manned 24/7 with security personnel. All data is encrypted prior to being stored offsite. Blackboard Connect also retains an external, independent security firm to perform annual security audits.

7. Will there be a way to positively identify incoming calls that are made by the township using the system?

The caller-ID number for calls generated by the Blackboard Connect service will be from 847-244-1101. In addition, every message will begin with the same standard announcement: 

• "Hello, this is Amy calling with an important message from Warren Township Highway Department." 

The message content will follow this standard introduction.

8. Will the Blackboard Connect service work if I have a call screening system on my phone?

There are several varieties of call screening devices that use differing protocols for screening. In general, the system has been found to work with these devices; but some may require some type of pre-programming to allow our Township's telephone number to pass through. We may conduct periodic tests to assure that messages are being delivered to numbers in the notification database.

9. If I am a non-resident homeowner, what phone should be listed in the notification database?

For non-residents or owners who reside out of our Township Highway Department, you may provide an additional phone number to be included in our database to contact during certain situations. In general, calls are sent to the primary number only, but we also have the ability to call multiple numbers for each residence or business when requested by the resident or business. Please contact us at 847-244-1101, ext. *301 to provide us with that information.

10. If I have provided more than one phone number, when will they be called?

Should a situation arise that requires us to contact you at multiple phone numbers, we can activate the system to place a simultaneous call to all of your numbers. In most cases, we will be sending calls only to one phone number.

11. My primary phone or my second listing is a cell phone with a non-local area code. Will the Blackboard Connect service call numbers outside the area?

Yes. The area code does not impact whether or not a call is made.

12. How does the Blackboard Connect system respond to busy signals or no-answer situations?

For busy signals, the call will be repeated several times in an attempt to reach you. The same is true for no-answer and call-waiting. If a message recorder answers the phone, the message will be left on the answering device. If, after several attempts the call does not successfully go through, the system will stop attempting to call.

13. I am receiving township notification calls at my fax or my secondary phone line. Can I switch to have the system call my primary phone number?

Yes. Please contact us at 847-244-1101, ext. *301 to change the phone number in our notification database.

14. I was not able to listen to the entire call. Is there a way to repeat the message?

Yes, at the end of the message playback, simply press the star (*) key on your telephone to have it repeated in its entirety.

15. I answer the phone but the “Hello” message repeats. It then hangs up, calls back, and the same thing happens again. How can I hear the entire message?

Repeating or looping of messages happens when the system detects excessive noise in the background. Loud radio/television volumes, people talking, or busy traffic noise, can cause this. When you receive the next call, say "hello" once and turn down the volume of your radio/television or press the mute button on your telephone to allow full message delivery.