Safer Communities For All!

New SafeChurch Program Announced

2011-06-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

The number one target for cooper thieves is unattended structures with churches being high on the list. Arsonists, burglars, and vandals also score churches high on their list of tangible targets. To compound the problem, many churches don't have security system, in particular those in rural or economically disadvantaged metro areas. Many don't even have a telephone and rarely do they have insurance.

The bottom line is that something needs to be done. Our contribution to the solution is what we call the SafeChurch program. We think that a effective partnership between volunteer fire departments, the churches in their area, and our SafeChurch program can provide an effective solution by working together. You can learn more about it by clicking here.

HelpAlert Reporter

2011-05-31T05:43:00.000-07:00

Almost a decade ago, Falcon Direct developed a wireless call button system for use in Courtrooms. Most commonly known as "The Button", these devices have been installed in courtrooms all over Alabama. More recently, the button has been used by merchants at high risk of armed robbery working in association with local police departments. The Mayors office in Birmingham, AL is equipped with the button as are the probate offices in Lamar County. Alabama

Every community has it's share of disabled and elderly persons who could benefit from an emergency notification service. We'll all seen the "I'm down and can't get up" ads on TV. What they don't tell you is the monthly cost associated with the service and the delay resulting from routing the call first to a monitoring center, then to 911, and ultimately to local first responders.

The HelpAlert Reporter is available at minimal cost, no monthly fees, and help can be available at the push of a button when service is provided by a local participating agency. When the button is activated, a direct radio message is wirelessly sent directly to first responders via the local 2-way radio system. In many cases the cost of HelpAlert Reporters can be paid for from a number of grant sources. Call us at 205.854.2611 for more information.

New Incident Reporter provides notification and emergency messages!

2011-05-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

A recent inquiry from an educational institution got us to thinking about community safety (not that we were not thinking about it already). This user wanted to extend in-building Public Address capability OUTSIDE the building to the athletic field, the parking lot and even the golf course.

The LoudMouth wireless PA system was known to have this capability and has actually been installed in several colleges around the USA (See story at www.info4u.us/BatesStory.pdf). The idea of using a wired or even a wireless PA system is not new. What IS new is allowing public safety first responders to broadcast emergency messages though privately operated systems, both for emergency notification and for extended incident command. You can read more about these systems by clicking here.

24/7 Direct Access Offered by Palmerdale FD

2011-05-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

What is that thing on the front of the Palmerdale FD Station 1, and why is it there, and who put it there, and why? All these questions and more will be answered when you learn more about the Station Reporter from Falcon Direct!

Additional information is available by clicking here. For now, let us just say that the Station Reporter provides a means for a visitor to an unmanned fire station to be in direct contact with on-duty shift personnel, volunteers, or both at the push of a button. Both of Palmerdale's stations were equipped at no charge through a grant through their legislative representative.

Additional information is available by calling Falcon Direct at 205.202-1269 or by email request to ServingU@falcondirect.com.

Dispatch Reporter Provides Emergency Assistance for Rural Alabama Medical Clinic

2011-05-15T18:46:00.001-07:00

Almost half a decade ago, the Phil Campbell Rescue Squad (PCRS) provided a device for the local medical clinic to provide rapid alerting capability when the services of the rescue squad were needed. Originally, known as The Button, the newest version of this device is known as the Dispatch Reporter, a part of the Radio Reporter product family offered by Falcon Direct.

The Dispatch Reporter sends a voice distress message directly over the PCRS radio system which results in a typical on-scene arrival time in as little as two minutes! A recent tornado in Phil Campbell demolished the medical clinic. Few things were salvaged but the Dispatch Reporter was found and is still working after almost a half decade of service and surviving one of the worst series of tornados ever recorded. Click here for more information

Better Fire Protection for Churches in Forest Home, Alabama Made Possible with QuikFire Reporter!

2011-05-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

Any one associated with a volunteer fire department knows about fund raisers. It takes a lot of work and support by vendors to be successful. Mary Till of the Forest Home VFD contacted Falcon Direct in the hope that we would be able to contribute a prize for a drawing at a fund raiser fish fry. We responded with an offer a little different than she expected. Click here for more information.