By Billy Davis

Emergency message provider Global Connect is now soliciting cellular phone numbers and e-mail addresses to create a database for its alert notification system.

The system uses Voice Over Internet (VOI) technology to alert the public of a pending natural disaster, a missing child, or other incidents.

The alert can be targeted and sent over phone lines, cellular phones, and through e-mailed messages.   

Panola County Emergency Management, which had sought an emergency alert system, is cataloguing the information.

The database asks for a person’s name, physical address, phone number and e-mail address.

The information can be sent to Panola EMA via e-mail at panolaeoc@bellsouth.net or by calling 563-6245 or 487-2430.

Existing home phone numbers are already being loaded into the alert system.

Businesses and industries can use the messaging service to reach employees at a cost of $1 per employee.

Panola County supervisors approved a one-year contract with Global Connect last November. The cost is $4,175, a half-off price, for one year of service.

Panola EMA director Daniel Cole has been seeking an alert notification system for the county for some time.

Panola County will be among the first of its neighbors to have the alert system, Cole has said.