Department of Emergency Services

Reverse 911

The Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services oversees and administers a Reverse 911 system, which is a citizen alert system that will allow authorized emergency services personnel to distribute critical emergency information to first responders and large numbers of citizens in a short period of time as well as providing a means to distribute other valuable public information. In the event of a community emergency, this notification system will provide a message via phone lines, cell phones and TTY/TDDs (Telecommunications devices for the deaf) to selected groups or geographic areas. Due to the different technologies used in both TTY/TDDs and call answering devices, certain type/models of these devices may or may not be compatible with this system. The system will not work properly if there is any type of ring back tone or music subscribed to a cell phone, other than the traditional ring tone.

The system with 12 dedicated phone lines will allow approximately 3,000 fifteen (15) second phone messages to be delivered per hour. The system also has a high volume-calling feature, MassCall, which can complete up to 100,000 calls in 10 minutes. County organizations and departments having user access to the system are County Public Works, County Health Department, Sheriff’s Department, County Executives Office, and the County Department of Emergency Services.

Cell Phone & TTY/TDD* Registration Forms

The system utilizes telephone company phone listings and addresses to place calls to residence in specific areas or countywide. Telephone companies do not maintain databases for cellular or TTY/TDD phones. Therefore, cell and TTY/TDD phones must be added with an address in order for a cellular or TTY/TDD customer to receive the informational call.

Cell Phone and TTY/TDD registrations forms may be obtained at your local fire station or police department, public library, or by calling 410-548-4820 during normal business hours.

*Telecommunications devices for the deaf