Digicel TCI helps the local government jump start 911 project
April 29th 2009 - Digicel helps move 911 Project forwardOn Thursday, 23rd April 2009, 911 Project Manager Juliette Gooding was presented with a cheque for $5,000 from Digicel’s General Manager, Jay Saunders, along with other useful tools to assist in the success of the ongoing 911 Project.
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| L to R: Karen Delancy, Minister of Home Affairs, Julliette Gooding, 911 Project Manager and E. Jay Saunders, Digicel CEO |
According to Gooding, Saunders approached her several months ago and asked what Digicel could do to contribute to the Project.
“He felt that although it is a government project, his company could offer services and equipment that are essential to the foundation of a 911 system,” said Gooding.
She told TCI Net News, “During a meeting between Mr Saunders and myself, it was established that the ability to communicate, not only with the public, but also between emergency services, is a fundamental part of the 911 Project foundation,” adding that it was agreed the first step would be to fast-forward the framework to make that communication possible in the near future.
“On Thursday, Saunders delivered on his promise to donate to the 911 project,” said Gooding, stating that he presented her with a cheque, along with other crucial donations:
- Free access to any available Digicel communication tower
- Trunk lines over their fixed wireless network
- Stand-alone wireless desktop handsets that can be used in an emergency if, for any reason, regular service is disrupted
- Free on-net calls and Blackberry Smart phones for emergency use
“Ms Gooding made a compelling case to Digicel for our support,” said Saunders, “This contribution is to help the 911 Project get started, and I hope that this service helps all Turks and Caicos Islanders overall.”
Saunders challenged other corporate bodies to follow Digicel’s lead and support Gooding and the government in achieving this “much needed 911 system”.
Premier Galmo Williams, along with Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Delancy also attending the cheque-presentation ceremony, where Williams thanked Gooding for her leadership, hard work, and her achievements to date, and going further to say that they will continue to work together to see this project come to fruition very soon.
“I believe through partnering and togetherness we can accomplish anything,” said Williams, “and I would like to thank Digicel on behalf of my government for helping the 911 Project get off the ground because the 911 service is not only designed to fight crime, but it will be used for any emergency.”
The 911 Project Manager told TCI Net News, “The project involves various agencies for specific tasks.”
Gooding explained that in order to have a good working 911 system, there must be street addresses, which involves the Mapping Department, Planning, Road Safety, EMS, and of course 911.
“We have established a system for naming roads and numbering buildings,” said Gooding, adding, “It is intended to name all streets in all the T&C Islands, and to number every building - residences and businesses - so that each has its own unique street address.”
As previously reported by TCI Net News, the process of distributing the house numbers has begun, but Gooding noted, “The erecting of the street signs still needs to take place because there is no point in displaying a house number if there are no road names to go with them”.
“We are hoping that the established developments, through their developers, will liaise with us to ensure their streets are named and signs meet the mandated requirements”, said the Project Manger, and she noted that the Project is relying on the support of the Road Safety Department to assist with other non-private properties in purchasing and erecting these signs.
Gooding expressed special thanks to Tracey Grant of the Survey and Mapping Department, pointing out that she works tirelessly to ensure all the data is correct, and “she is the person who creates these maps that will display all the addresses and landmarks”.
The Project Manager reported that the 911 website is expected to be up and running very soon, which will enable residents to access the House Number and Street Naming request forms, along with other useful information about the project’s progress, such as safety tips and public service advisories on how, and when, to use 911.
“The next phase for 911 is to begin to put in this additional infrastructure and test it all,” said Gooding, adding that she has been meeting with various Neighbourhood Watch groups around the Island, and “everyone has been helpful and encouraging and willing to work hard to make the overall project a success.”
“He felt that although it is a government project, his company could offer services and equipment that are essential to the foundation of a 911 system,” said Gooding.
She told TCI Net News, “During a meeting between Mr Saunders and myself, it was established that the ability to communicate, not only with the public, but also between emergency services, is a fundamental part of the 911 Project foundation,” adding that it was agreed the first step would be to fast-forward the framework to make that communication possible in the near future.
“On Thursday, Saunders delivered on his promise to donate to the 911 project,” said Gooding, stating that he presented her with a cheque, along with other crucial donations:
- Free access to any available Digicel communication tower
- Trunk lines over their fixed wireless network
- Stand-alone wireless desktop handsets that can be used in an emergency if, for any reason, regular service is disrupted
- Free on-net calls and Blackberry Smart phones for emergency use
“Ms Gooding made a compelling case to Digicel for our support,” said Saunders, “This contribution is to help the 911 Project get started, and I hope that this service helps all Turks and Caicos Islanders overall.”
Saunders challenged other corporate bodies to follow Digicel’s lead and support Gooding and the government in achieving this “much needed 911 system”.
Premier Galmo Williams, along with Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Delancy also attending the cheque-presentation ceremony, where Williams thanked Gooding for her leadership, hard work, and her achievements to date, and going further to say that they will continue to work together to see this project come to fruition very soon.
“I believe through partnering and togetherness we can accomplish anything,” said Williams, “and I would like to thank Digicel on behalf of my government for helping the 911 Project get off the ground because the 911 service is not only designed to fight crime, but it will be used for any emergency.”
The 911 Project Manager told TCI Net News, “The project involves various agencies for specific tasks.”
Gooding explained that in order to have a good working 911 system, there must be street addresses, which involves the Mapping Department, Planning, Road Safety, EMS, and of course 911.
“We have established a system for naming roads and numbering buildings,” said Gooding, adding, “It is intended to name all streets in all the T&C Islands, and to number every building - residences and businesses - so that each has its own unique street address.”
As previously reported by TCI Net News, the process of distributing the house numbers has begun, but Gooding noted, “The erecting of the street signs still needs to take place because there is no point in displaying a house number if there are no road names to go with them”.
“We are hoping that the established developments, through their developers, will liaise with us to ensure their streets are named and signs meet the mandated requirements”, said the Project Manger, and she noted that the Project is relying on the support of the Road Safety Department to assist with other non-private properties in purchasing and erecting these signs.
Gooding expressed special thanks to Tracey Grant of the Survey and Mapping Department, pointing out that she works tirelessly to ensure all the data is correct, and “she is the person who creates these maps that will display all the addresses and landmarks”.
The Project Manager reported that the 911 website is expected to be up and running very soon, which will enable residents to access the House Number and Street Naming request forms, along with other useful information about the project’s progress, such as safety tips and public service advisories on how, and when, to use 911.
“The next phase for 911 is to begin to put in this additional infrastructure and test it all,” said Gooding, adding that she has been meeting with various Neighbourhood Watch groups around the Island, and “everyone has been helpful and encouraging and willing to work hard to make the overall project a success.”
