Connect-CTY Notification Services

County of Kauaʻi and Blackboard Connect 5

In an effort to improve emergency communications, county officials implemented Connect 5, a mass notification service from Blackboard Connect Inc.

With Connect 5, county officials are able to create and rapidly disseminate voice messages regarding civil defense emergencies to thousands of residents, businesses and local agencies in minutes, through a single phone call.

This service allows officials to send text messages to cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), email accounts, and TTY/TDD receiving devices for the hearing impaired.

Examples of civil defense emergencies include: tsunamis; tropical cyclones; earthquakes; flash floods; and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of Kauaʻi residents.

Publicly available primary residential and business phones on Kauaʻi are automatically included in the system. However, residents can opt in to provide their complete information, up to three phone numbers and two email addresses, and indicate if they have a TTY/TDD device.

To start receiving notifications, you can sign up for County of Kauai's Emergency Notifications online, or call Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at (808) 241-1800 or email kema@kauai.gov.

Connect 5 Frequently Asked Questions



What is the Connect 5 service? How does the service work? What types of messages will be sent using the service? Does the Connect 5 service replace other systems that have been used to provide time-sensitive information to residents? Is my telephone number included in the notification database? May I use a cell phone as my notification database listing? What precautions are being taken to protect personal information? Will there be a way to positively identify incoming calls which are made by the county using the system? Will the Connect 5 service work if I have a call screening system on my phone? If I am a non-resident home or condominium owner, what phone should be listed in the notification database? If I have provided more than one phone number, when will they be called? My primary phone or my second listing is a cell phone with a non-local area code. Will the Connect 5 service call numbers outside the area? How does the Connect 5 system respond to busy signals or no-answer situations? I am receiving county notification calls at my fax or my secondary phone line. Can I switch to have the system call my primary phone number? I was not able to listen to the entire call. Is there a way to repeat the message? 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?