Kingfisher’s City to Resident Notification System

September 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The City of Kingfisher is pleased to announce the launch of the Blackboard Connect service, our new city-to-resident notification system. With this service, city leaders can send personalized voice messages to residents and businesses within minutes with specific information about time-sensitive or common-interest issues such as emergencies and local community matters. The Connect service will be used to supplement our current communication plans and augment public safety/first responder services.

Please accept our invitation to participate in this great service. We know that your personal information is important, and rest assured that we will not share it with anyone. If you have NOT already received a test phone call from us, or you would like to provide additional contact information, click the Blackboard Connect image to sign up.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Blackboard Connect service?

The Blackboard Connect service allows authorized civic leaders to create and rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every telephone number stored in the notification database.  With the Blackboard Connect service, authorized users can send thousands of messages in minutes.  Only authorized officials are allowed access to the system.

How does the service work?

Authorized officials record a voice message that is then delivered quickly to individual phones in the notification database.

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 would include severe weather warnings and updates, hazardous traffic or road conditions inside the city or affecting local routes, and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of our citizens.

Does the Blackboard Connect service replace other systems that have been used to provide time-sensitive information to residents?

This system is a significant enhancement to existing means of communication and is supplemental to, not a replacement for, the systems we have used in the past.

The call-in emergency information line (405)-375-3705, which is activated during an emergency situation, will still be available.  Also, TV, radio and our city web site will continue to broadcast important announcements.

Is my telephone number included in the notification database?

It is our intention and hope that every residence and commercial facility in our community 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 additional numbers entered into our database for priority calling.

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.

What precautions are being taken to protect personal information?

Blackboard Connect® is a service of Blackboard Connect Inc. (BCI). BCI 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.  BCI only utilizes secure transmissions with its customers. No confidential information is ever transmitted between BCI and its customers using e-mail or FTP, but rather always utilizes either a VPN tunnel or SSL.  Data is hosted in state-of-the-art facilities which require photo identification, thumb-print recognition, keyed access, and are manned 24/7 with full-security personnel.  All data is encrypted prior to being placed on tape for offsite storage. BCI also retains an external, independent security firm to perform annual security audits.

Will there be a way to positively identify incoming calls which are made by the city using the system?

The caller-ID number for calls generated by the Blackboard Connect service will be:  (405)-375-3705.  In addition, every message will begin with the same standard announcement:  “Hello, this is ______ calling with an important message from the City of Kingfisher”. The message content will follow this standard introduction.

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

There are several varieties of call screening devices which 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 city’s telephone number to pass through.  We may conduct periodic test to assure that messages are being delivered to numbers in the notification database.

If I am a non-resident home or condominium owner, what phone should be listed in the notification database?

For non-residents or owners who reside out of our city, 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 resident or business when requested by the resident or business.  Please contact our city hall office at (405)-375-3705 to provide us with that information.

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.

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.

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 the phone is answered by a message recorder, 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.

I am receiving city 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 (405)-375-3705 to change the phone number in our notification database.

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.

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.  This can be caused by loud radio/television volumes, people talking, or busy traffic noise.  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.

Filed Under: Community News Tagged With: , , , ,

6 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

June 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

As a potential Kingfisher, OK real estate buyer you may be nervous and apprehensive over  the fact that you are about to take on a very large financial responsibility. That’s completely understandable, and often times expected.

There are, however, several things you can do to ease your stress and apprehension. These steps will help you feel more confident that the house you will be purchasing is the right home for you and your family.

Below I have summarized 6 steps you should take prior to purchasing a Kingfisher, OK home take that will help you in making a smart and informed purchase decision.

1) Calculate how much of a mortgage payment you can afford.

The general rule of thumb is that you can afford a home priced 2 to 3 times you gross income. I recommend you stay closer to 2 times your gross.  I have always been a big fan of living below your means and if buying a little bit less house is going to be financially better for you then do it.  In your calculations don’t forget to include  other costs of owning a home such as insurance, maintenance, homeowners association fees, property taxes. You’ll also have utilities, transportation, daycare etc. Create a budget and stick to it, and don’t under-budget just to make the house payment fit.

2) What type of house do you want?

Before you start searching for a home sit down with your partner and determine what you need in a house. How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? What type of kitchen do you want? Think about future needs such as a home office? Have a clear vision of what you want and convey that to your Realtor prior to beginning your search.

3) Where do you want to live?

Determine what community or area you want like to live in. Do you need to be close to work? How about the distance to schools, shopping or recreation? These are all things you need to think about so that the home you ultimately purchase suits you in the way you planned.

4) You’re going to need money up front.

You mortgage lender is going to need a down payment in addition to other costs you will incur. Lenders usually require a 20% down payment but with certain types of loans you might only need 5%. Try and save up as much money as you can for a down payment as the more money you put down the easier it might be to qualify for a loan. Do keep some money for emergencies. If you end up with a smaller down payment you will end paying PMI insurance which can increase your monthly payment. Do check with your Realtor for any first-time home buyer programs that might be available.

5) Watch out for closing costs.

Beside the down payment you will incur additional costs as part of the closing on your Kingfisher OK real estate.  You’ll also need money for a home inspection, appraisal, termite inspection, attorney fees, recording fees, transfer fees, homeowners association fees etc. Ask your Realtor to go over typical closing costs so that you’ll be prepared.

6) Clean up your credit report.

Lenders will pull your credit report as part of their due diligence when determining whether to approve a loan. If you have late payments, bad debts, bankruptcy etc. they will affect your credit score. The lower your score the less likely you will get approved to receive loan with terms that are favorable to you. You will pay a high interest rate and may be required to have a larger down payment, or even a co-signer. A credit score of 620 or more is what lenders look for. If you are a year or more away from purchasing now is the time to clean up your credit. There are lots of resources online than can help but please be wary of credit repair companies. Most a bogus and will take your money and do nothing. Most, if not all, of what they do you can do yourself.

Filed Under: For Buyer and Sellers Tagged With: , ,