Az 211 Marks One Year

Today marks the 1-year anniversary for Arizona 2-1-1 Online, a statewide source for emergency information as well as health & human service resources. More than 200,000 Arizonans have been helped by Arizona 2-1-1 in its 1st year.

"Arizona 2-1-1 has proven to be very valuable to Arizona residents & visitors in its 1st year of operation," said Frank Navarrete, Director of the Arizona's Office of Homeland Security. "With thousands of visitors viewing real-time updates during the Cave Creek Complex Fire, the Operation Good Neighbor response to Hurricane Katrina & the recent Brins Fire, it's clear that Arizonans are choosing to rely on this powerful tool."

Arizona 2-1-1 Online is the 1st system of its kind in the nation to provide timely information during natural or human-caused emergencies & disasters, such as wildland fires, floods, water shortages & public health emergencies. Multiple agencies responding to a single disaster each have critical information to share. This information is posted in a single location, making Arizona 2-1-1 Online an effective one-stop shop for official information.

During the Brins Fire in Sedona, Arizonans & visitors interested in the current fire status, road closures, evacuations, shelter locations & donations were able to visit www.az211.gov or, for the 1st time, to call the 2-1-1 call center. Arizona 2-1-1 Online received more than 38,000 visits & the Arizona 2-1-1 Call Center received more than 14,000 calls.

Arizona 2-1-1 Online also provides the public & librarians, caseworkers & other helping professionals throughout Arizona with access to health & human service & emergency response information, as well as referrals to more than 18,000 programs & services at www.az211.gov. Arizona 2-1-1 Online is also a valuable resource for preparedness information. The website posts bulletins on how to prepare yourself, your home & your family for a disaster or community emergency.

Arizona's Strategic Plan for 2-1-1 calls for the phased implementation of 2-1-1. The next step for the program is development of local 2-1-1 call centers serving all Arizonans day to day as well as in times of emergency.