888-727-9362

This is some kind of call service where the numbers are not user specific, they rotate among a number of users. I syggest this because I got a sort of reverse 911 call from this number today from MY County's Emergency Operations Office warning of a FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

This is NOT the number these calls usually com from so I am assuming it is a call service for multiple purposes.

I know that St. Charles Parish (Louisiana) uses this number to give residents hurricane updates and the like.  On their hurricane preparedness page ( http://www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/index.aspx?recordid=1493&page=898 ), the parish advises residents to unblock this number so that they can receive notifications.

This telephone number is used by a mass notification system called BLACKBOARD CONNECT  to allow school systems and government agencies to notify their constituent's with notice of emergencies or matters of safety concerns. Many School Systems and State, County, and municipal government agencies with a notification tool to implement the EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM!

http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Connect/Overview.aspx

The Blackboard Connect service provides PUBLIC OFFICIALS & AGENCIES the ability to notify, update and provide critical direction to residents in an efficient, timely manner, should a need arise.

We rely on the Blackboard Connect mass notification system to quickly communicate urgent information to residents regarding severe weather, chemical spills and evacuation notices.

Government officials and Public agencies that use the BLACKBOARD CONNECT SERVICE have provided the service publicly available primary residential and business phones to be included in the system. However, to ensure that the agencies have the most up-to-date contact information, residents should visit their government agencies responsible for emergency notification's website and click on the “Emergency Alert System” link to provide their complete information (up to three phone numbers and two e-mail addresses) and indicate if they have a TTY/TDD. Those without Internet access are encouraged to use computers at the local library or call their government agencies responsible for emergency notification's and provide their up-to-date contact information. Residents with call blocking services should add (888) 727-9362 to their approved number list to ensure they receive emergency notifications.

“With Blackboard Connect, officials can record and send messages to all constituents from any location, under the most extreme circumstances,” said Ed Miller, President of Blackboard Connect. “Even if they are evacuated or the power is knocked out, community leaders can rely on the Blackboard Connect service to reach families across multiple communications channels. We are proud to provide a service that our clients can count on, especially when they need it most.”

Blackboard Connect requires no additional hardware; it can be used from any computer with Internet access or telephone, ensuring that officials can send vital messages from wherever they are located.

Government administrators and agencies can target each message to an unlimited number of groups  –  everything from mobilizing volunteers to coordinating efforts with necessary agencies or emergency personnel. Authorized users can also use a map on the Blackboard Connect system to contact specific geographical locations, sending messages only to the residents within select neighborhoods when needed.

Calls from this number are NEVER any kind of marketing or solicitation and are NOT subject to DO NOT CALL REGISTRY RESTRICTIONS.