Call specialists with United Way’s NC 2-1-1 system have handled more than 6,000 disaster-related calls since Oct. 3, according to NC Emergency Management officials. The call specialists have directed callers to health and human services, government assistance and disaster resources. During the same period, NC 2-1-1 call specialists, data managers and coordinators responded to more than 5,000 additional calls that were not related to the hurricane.
In the early stages of the storm, NC 2-1-1 provided a backup means of reporting emergencies for several communities whose 911 systems were down. Because a 2-1-1 component is embedded at the State Emergency Operations Center, the NC 2-1-1 staff was able to quickly relay the calls to the emergency services.
“NC 2-1-1 has risen to the challenge of keeping the public informed about Hurricane Matthew,” said Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry. “The 2-1-1 call specialists are a critical part of our team and some of the unsung heroes of our response. They provide timely, crucial information to people who often feel overwhelmed. We know a comforting, warm human voice at the other end of the phone line is sometimes just as important as the information provided.”
NC 2-1-1 call specialists are trained to assist during disasters. They are in contact with emergency management personnel and have the most up-to-date information on storm-related resources and volunteer needs. They can help callers find food, water, ice, help with storm clean-up and long-term assistance, and other needs. The service is free, confidential and available in any language to North Carolina residents; contact the service by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162.
2-1-1 systems from Houston, Austin, Portland and New Jersey have assisted the NC 2-1-1 call specialists with inquiries during Hurricane Matthew.
“That’s the beauty of the 2-1-1 system,” said NC 2-1-1 Statewide Strategy Director Heather Black. “We have 2-1-1 systems all over the country, and the similarity of the training, standards and commitment to helping the caller ensures we can work together during major incidents, when call volumes are too great for one system alone to handle.”
In addition to disaster related calls, NC 2-1-1 can help NC citizens find resources for other health and human service needs, such as food, housing, assistance with utilities, job training, information about health care providers and more year round.
NC 2-1-1 is provided to residents in all 100 North Carolina counties and is supported by local United Ways statewide.