TFCC Helps NY Utility Reach 2,500 Critical Care Customers During Extended Eastern Blackout

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 01, 2005

Columbus, Ohio:  Twenty First Century’s Universal Communications System (UCS) was put to the test by a New York utility, during the August 2003 blackout.

The utility has close to 2,500 customers identified as requiring critical care during power outages. It was imperative that they contact these customers and let them know what steps to take during the emergency. Unfortunately, along with power issues Internet access was very slow and it was nearly impossible to set up a call out program locally.

“When the blackout hit us, we lost all power and almost all communications.” stated a utility supervisor. “The loss of power was soon rectified locally by generator back-up power to our department only. However, our computers were down as our headquarters building was out. Our laptops did work on local disks…so we extracted our Life Sustaining Equipment and Medical Hardship Files and sent them via telephone line on one of my colleagues’ AOL account.”

Richard Huxley, a Client Manager at Twenty First Century, received the critical list and the message that the utility wanted sent. Within minutes, he loaded the information into a UCS program and began the outdial process. Almost immediately the calls began going out. The process was repeated later at the utility’s request. In all, nearly 5,000 calls were made to critical care customers. “While we hope to not have to do this again, it is reassuring that we have a company like you [TFCC] backing us up,” the supervisor concluded. “You saved the day. We appreciate your help and hopefully we will have a long relationship. Thanks.”

TFCC’s Universal Communications System is normally activated and administered via the Internet. It offers the largest call handling capability in North American and programs can be activated from any location 24/7. In situations like those above a dedicated Client Manager is available 24/7 to assist the client in any way possible. A 24-hour Help Desk is also staffed and available if necessary.