MCD Equipment Program -
Maine Emergency Notification System (ENS)
Alerts : MCD can provide : Things to Know about the Program : Join the Program : More Information : Download Application Section : Alerts FAQ
SIDEKICK 3'S ARE IN STOCK
HERE AT MCD!!!
For more information about free and reduced cost Sidekicks follow this link.
You must pass T-Mobile credit application before you can receive a new
Sidekick. Download a credit application here. Download a MCD Equipment
Program application here.
________________________
Maine's deaf and hard of hearing residents can now receive alerts about
any emergency in Maine sent out by the Maine Emergency Management Agency
(MEMA).
Alerts include:
You will automatically receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) notices.
(These are the same alerts that interrupt TV shows.) EAS alerts are the most serious emergency alerts and must be sent out statewide to all counties. EAS alerts include:- Tornado Warning
- Flash Flood Warning
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- Special Marine Warning
- Civil Emergency Message
- Child Abduction Emergency
You can choose to receive the following alerts by COUNTY:
- National Weather Service Alerts
The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life.
- Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety serves the people by protecting their lives, rights, and properties. This is accomplished through criminal justice, law enforcement, fire safety, emergency response services, and E-911.
- Department of Transportation
The MaineDOT is responsible for the State's highways and bridges, airports and aeronautics, ports and marine activity, including the State Ferry Service; railroads, public transportation, as well as bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
- Maine Turnpike Authority
The Authority's primary function is to operate and maintain a toll express highway serving Maine, and providing the link between the Maine Department of Transportation and the rest of the United States and Eastern Canada. -
Amber Alert
The Amber Alert is an important missing child response program that utilizes the resources of law enforcement and media to notify the public when children are kidnapped.
- Bureau of Health (will be added in the future)
The Bureau of Health's mission is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine. Within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Bureau of Health has responsibility for public health issues and concerns. - Local (your town only) Power Outages
- Local (your town only) Emergency Alerts
This new program allows Maine's D/deaf and hard of hearing citizens to use their own equipment or receive equipment from Maine Center on Deafness (MCD). Depending on your income the equipment is either free or available at a reduced cost.
MCD can provide:
-
Stationary
Emergency Weather Alert radio with LCD screen
This stationary unit allows individuals to receive emergency weather alerts audibly as well as on a digital screen, and has vibration or strobe alert options. Equipment is available to amplify the auditory alert.
- One-way pagers by UCOM paging
This device
allows individuals to receive text messages, but not to send text messages.
You WILL NOT RECEIVE NEW MESSAGES on this pager if your pager is TURNED OFF, or if you leave the UCOM covered territory.
"Sidekick
III" two-way pagers by T-Mobile -
contact MCD for more information about availability.
Be sure your emergency
alert equipment is in good working order!
● Check your batteries
● Perform tests on:
●
Generators
● Smoke
Detectors
● And
other safety devices
Things to know about the program:
- Equipment can be purchased directly at full cost, or individuals can apply for the "Cost-Share" or "Lending Program" from MCD. The cost of the equipment is dependant on the individual's annual income (currently the maximum cost for equipment is $400).
- FREE EQUIPMENT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
- MCD WILL NOT REPLACE STOLEN, LOST, DAMAGED, OR BROKEN PAGER FOR AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS.
- ADDITIONAL SERVICES* ON EQUIPMENT MUST BE PURCHASED BY THE INDIVIDUAL
USER AND NOT MCD.
*Additional services include insurance or monthly service fees
How to join the program:
- Contact MCD office or MCD website for the following applications:
Alerts Only
Equipment and Alerts
Terms and Agreement - Be sure ALL APPLICATIONS ARE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY AND
Provide proof of hearing loss
Provide proof of total income
Already have a pager?
If you already have a pager and just want to receive the emergency alerts, fill out the "Alert Only (no equipment)" form and send it back to MCD to start receiving alerts immediately.
For more information about the Emergency Alert System:
- Call MCD to set up and appointment 207-797-7656 or 1-800-639-3884 v/tty
- Email emoran@mcdmaine.org for more information
$10 Off Your Monthly Wireless Communication Bill!!*
You may qualify for $10 discount on your
wireless cell phone, pager (Sidekick), or pre-paid service. If your family’s
income is less than 135% of the Poverty Level, you may receive $10 of your
monthly service fee or a $10 reimbursement for pre-paid service. Contact Elissa
Moran at (207)797-7656 or through e-mail as:
emoran@mcdmaine.org for more
information.
* Must be deaf or hard of hearing, Maine resident, and
receive Emergency Notification Messages (ENS) messages from MCD.
Application Download Section:
- Emergency Notification Equipment Application
- Alerts Only, No Equipment as a (PDF file) as a word document