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Sorry, this should have been posted as new. The following press release was issued this morning. More information on Lake Martin Alert will follow.
The Lake Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners (HOBOs) and the Alabama Marine Police have announced the joint development of an alert system for Lake Martin. Lake Martin Alert will allow the Marine Police to communicate with boaters, home owners, and other interested individuals on short notice via Twitter and Facebook. The alert system provides a means of communication between the Marine Police and lake users for a variety of uses, including notifications of lost, found, or stolen boats, floating docks, and equipment; missing or overdue persons or boats; water hazards, severe weather conditions, etc.
Captain Matt Brooks, Alabama Marine Police, initiated the joint effort with the Lake Martin HOBOs to provide better service to all lake users. “Lake Martin Alert will give us the ability to better protect those on the lake, even during this time of reduced staffing,” Captain Brooks stated. “We hope everyone with smart cell phones and computers will follow Lake Martin Alert on Twitter and/or Facebook”
The Alert system has been set up by the Lake Martin HOBOs so that all notifications published will originate with the Marine Police. “The integrity of the alerts is key to the success of the program,” according to Jesse Cunningham with the HOBOs. “All notices must be initiated by the Marine Police. They may post themselves, or they may contact an “on-call” HOBO, who will then post the notice on Twitter and Facebook. This service provided by the HOBOs allows officers to phone in a notice while on duty, on the water.”
The Lake Martin Alert service is set to begin on Friday, May 28, 2010, just in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend. All emergencies on the lake must still call 911. Lake Martin Marine Police may be reached at 256-329-2268. For dispatch contact your local State Trooper office. Follow Lake Martin Alert on Twitter and Facebook.
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| Name: |
Blue Creeker
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| Subject: |
I think what we need instead...
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Date:
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5/27/2010 11:04:58 AM
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...is a heavy dose of Situational Awareness.
That goes a lot further than everyone with their heads down and checking Facebook or Twitter.
Besides, don't we come to the lake to get away from all the technology?
Everyone just pay attention to what's going on around you and we'd all be a lot more safe.
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| Name: |
redleg6
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| Subject: |
I think what we need instead...
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Date:
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5/27/2010 11:45:55 AM
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C'mon Creeker, lighten up. I'm way past my 7th decade but I still recognize that we can't turn back the clock on technology. I hope you don't think that folks who come to the lake "to get away from all the technology" leave their cell phones and laptops home.
You are correct that we should slow down, pay attention, and enjoy all the beautiful stuff around us. But please don't knock the efforts of HOBOs and the Marine Police for their efforts to help the MPs do their job better. The Alert system could save someone's life.
Thanks Jesse & Matt!
Dick Bronson, Lake Watch
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| Name: |
Murph
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| Subject: |
Lake Martin Alert
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Date:
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5/27/2010 11:54:44 AM
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I like the idea of this. I understand that all notifications will come from the Marine Police, but will we have the ability to notify them of things like floating hazzards etc., so they can in turn notify the other boaters?
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| Name: |
Blue Creeker
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| Subject: |
You're right...but...
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Date:
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5/27/2010 12:01:38 PM
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...common sense and situational awareness should come first.
I do like the idea of lost/stolen boats etc. being posted on the interweb quickly and in popular places like FB and Twitter...although I do neither of those high school reunion sites.
These sites should be visited AFTER one gets off the water.
But while on the water, have a plan for the day and keep your head on a swivel.
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I enjoy the peace and quite of the lake, but my "technology" is always with me and it makes the lake experience even better; some may not agree, but to each their own.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Lake Martin Alert
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Date:
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5/27/2010 1:27:08 PM
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It is important to remember that there is no change in the way individuals communicate with the Marine Police about all matters. The officers will decide what information should be transmitted. By the way, in addition to Twitter and Facebook, a new Forum alias, Lake Martin Alert, has been created and the same posts transmitted to Twitter will be posted on the Forum. Please understand this new alias is for one way communications; we will not respond to questions with that alias.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Lake Martin Alert - I Like It
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Date:
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5/27/2010 1:37:43 PM
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I for one think it is a great idea as my smartphone is always with me and I can guarantee you I have the District Office, State Troopers Post and the Sheriff's departments telephone numbers with me at all times while boating. And lets just say once about a year ago it came in very handy in what could have been a life threatening event without the phone close at hand.
Also think it would be great if out on the lake and unaware of a fast approaching severe storm as I have been caught on the lake by such, as I am sure others have as well. And while I was not overly concerned others where so I now have a weather radio as well. Do I use the radio all the time no, but I need it it is there, same with the smartphone.
I have signed up for Twitter alerts, but not sure what the facebook page is called as I searched for Lake Martin Alert early this morning and did not find such.
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| Name: |
Capt M Brooks
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| Subject: |
What it means for us
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Date:
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5/27/2010 4:10:13 PM
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We came up with the idea of doing this after Sgt. Buchanan read about Auburn University putting a text-message system in place during football games to report potential crowd problems. Lts. Fontaine, Colquitt and I attended a summit with the USCG Auxiliary back in March where we heard about a system like this in use at other lakes in the southeast. We discussed these ideas with Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Bronson and Mr. Borden a while back and decided to try it on Lake Martin.
The main purpose is to create a system for immediate notification regarding a missing boater, stolen boat, missing boat, hazard, etc. to people who live on the lake, use the lake regularly or are on the lake at that particular time. People who want to will sign up for the service and when we have something that needs to go out it will be delivered immediately to those who have signed up. The notice is delivered in real time to whatever device you use.
Let me give an example. Let's say on a Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. we receive a call from a frantic parent that their son/daughter was going to Blue Creek and hasn't returned. We can take a description of the subjects and boat down, forward it to the Lake Alert contact and it will create a "BOLO" that will go out to everyone on the service. So you are sitting at home in Blue Creek and receive the notice...you walk out to your deck or dock and scan the area and you spot the people in the Alert. Within a matter of minutes we've located them and can save a lot of time/resources.
No one is saying this is going to be perfect and we will refine it through trial and error. I am convinced, though, based on our success from the posts we make on here that doing it in real time will also work and work much faster.
We don't advocate anyone operating any type of motorized vessel (or even sailboat) for that matter while they are using a cell phone, texting, etc. However, about 130% of the people we deal with have cell phones on them at all times on the lake, some with multiple phones. It has become a necessity now rather than a convenience or luxury and we think we can put this to work for the benefit of everyone.
I want to thank the Lake Martin HOBO, LMRA and the owners and operators of this website for working with us and allowing us to have a voice.
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I think this will save a lot of time for a lot of people.
Lets say I am broken down in my old boat and I need help. Not life threatening mind you but just stuck. Could a alert be sent out.
" Stranded boater in young's basin, needs a tow to wind creek."
Could some one with a boat and signed up on the lake answer back,,,
" I can help them"
and and come help me?
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Best free service ever
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Date:
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5/27/2010 4:34:55 PM
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This is great. and it doesn't cost anyone anything. Not only that, the negative people don't have to use it.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
What it means for us - AU Parent Alerts
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5/27/2010 6:42:05 PM
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Matt:
As an AU parent I have to say the AU Alert system is the best there is as whenever there is an severe weather (tornado warnings or other significant weather events), building evacuations, dangers requiring lock-down or shelter-in-place, or other emergencies requiring immediate action the student are immediately contacted via, email, text messages and voice mails and then through the AU Parents Association we the parents can also receive the alerts and at times have called our daughter to ensure you show the alert.
The great part is lets assume there are like 25,000 students and facility at AU within minutes all 25,000 folks can be alerted and take the appropriate action.
Having the alerts on Lake Martin and texting say even 100 folks if such saves one LIFE it is well worth it and a great idea.
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
What it means for us - AU Parent Alerts
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5/27/2010 9:14:37 PM
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I agree Mav. Whenever something is going down at AU we know about it, and I'm grateful they keep parents and students in the loop on developing situations. Lake Martin Alert is a very good thing to have at the lake.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Lake Martin Alert-REMINDER
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Date:
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5/27/2010 9:55:57 PM
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Lake Martin Alert is a one-way communication tool. When a response is made to a published Alert, the response is to be made directly to the Marine Police via phone to their office number or your local State Trooper office--who will contact the MP officer via radio.
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| Name: |
Blue Creeker
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| Subject: |
Texts aren't included in this...
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Date:
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5/28/2010 10:30:34 AM
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...from what I've read here, anyway.
Which, if they were, it'd be used more as everyone knows when they get a text.
But, if the alerts on on the web, then one has to actually open their browser and navigate there...that is...if they have a smart phone...which most do not.
Texts are the way to go as many have said about universities.
Getting a text these days is a given if you're toting around your phone.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Texts are included in Alert...
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Date:
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5/28/2010 2:07:47 PM
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Text messages will be sent to your phone from Twitter and/or Facebook if you sign up for such from the respective service. That's the whole point of the Alert service.
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| Name: |
John C
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Lake Martin Alert, what a great idea for safety!
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5/28/2010 2:17:33 PM
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I think this is an outstanding idea and I followed this on twitter as soon as I saw it.
For people that don't know much about twitter:
1. it is free to sign up, all you need is an email
2. you "follow" people or companies that you are interested in.
3. then when you log on to twitter.com - you will see a chronological summary of all of the updates by all of the people whom you follow
4. if you choose, you can designate on certain people you follow that, when they make a status update, it will automatically send your cell phone a text message. Lake Martin Alert would be a great one to use this with. So, e.g., if they type out an alert like "bad weather headed for the lake in 1 hour" or whatever they put out, it will send you a text message with that info to your cell phone.
5. otherwise, you would have to be by a computer to check the updates, or have a "smart phone" style cell phone like an iphone, blackberry, or android. Those type phones with internet access can check them that way.
Twitter is a revolutionary service because it is free, ubiquitous, and makes even 1 person a broadcaster. Don't think of its only use as teenagers cranking out mindless chatter. Think of its power when, for example, a restaurant sends out a tweet "2 for 1 appetizer special for the next 2 hours" (by the way, if you are a lake area small business, contact me about a new platform to get your message heard).
The only thing I would say to Blue Creeker and the like is, hey - just like the smoke alarms in my house - it's a safety improvement that is free (to you) and doesn't affect you. If I choose to use it, who cares. Agreed that no one should operate a vessel while distracted (drinking, texting, etc.) - but the existence of this twitter account will hardly affect phone usage on the lake.
For those who want to dip their toes in twitter - the best way to learn is to try. Pick out a few news sources that you like (local new stations or nationals like Fox) and search for them on twitter, or look for their twitter icons on their sites. Follow them.
Then follow me and other local businesses around the Lake. I use it to put out quick info about things going on at the lake, take pictures, link my new blog posts, etc.
URL: http://twitter.com/LakeMartinVoice
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You have so much to learn on this techno journey....
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| Name: |
Blue Creeker
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| Subject: |
Can one get texts sent to them without...
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Date:
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5/28/2010 11:32:28 PM
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...the middle man of FB or Twitter?
If so, you'll reach more people, Id bet.
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| Name: |
John C
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| Subject: |
no, not really
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Date:
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5/31/2010 6:30:35 PM
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Bluecreeker - that's a little like saying, I bet more people would call my phone if they didn't have to go through the middle man of Bellsouth and could call me directly.
What is incredible about twitter is IT IS FREE. It is a FREE MIDDLE MAN - except instead of the common "middle man" misconception that they take away from the process- it adds to the process. It gives you a way to send one text to them, and they distribute that text to your followers, (only those who choose to receive your updates by text), FOR FREE.
It's a little like, if you had 6,000 people coming to a party you were throwing at 4:00. But you had to postpone until 6. Instead of you having to call 6,000 people individually, you placed one call to Bellsouth, and they called everyone on your behalf, for free.
Don't think of them as a middle man, they ARE the platform.
Again, all lake area businesses please take note, "heads up" - I am working on a new project that will use the power of automatic updates like twitter and facebook and the like. We will be harnessing the power of these to help you connect to customers and new folks, and everyone. Please contact me via this forum if you're interested. I am starting to roll it out now. It will include training on all this, and social media marketing in general. I am really excited about it.
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