Safe Call
Safe Call is a daily telephone check-in service for homebound, handicapped or elderly residents. It is a free service to the residents of Westerville and Blendon Township with the cooperative efforts of the Westerville Police and Fire Divisions and the Westerville Communications Division.
Once you are enrolled in Safe Call, a computer will call your home every day at a predetermined time. If everything is OK, all you need to do is pick up the phone and follow the message instructions. You do not have to say anything.
If you don’t answer the phone, the Westerville Safe Call computer will automatically call a person you designate that has your house key. This person will then be sent to check to see if you are OK. If your key holder does not answer, Westerville Police and Fire will be dispatched to your home.
If you know that you are not going to be home at the time of your call, notify Westerville Communications at 614-901-6790.
If you are interested in learning more about the program or signing up, please contact Kippy Shurman at 614-901-6790.
On Sunday January 25th, 2009 at approximately 8:30am the Communications Division received an automated phone call from the Dialogic Safe Call computer program advising that one of the Safe Call members did not answer her daily phone call.
The Communications employee who received the call attempted to contact the Safe Call member on both her home and cell phone numbers, as well as attempting to contact the pre-designated key holder for the residence.
Unable to establish contact with the Safe Call member or key holder via phone, the Communications employee dispatched a police officer to the residence to conduct a well-being check on the member.
Upon arrival, the police officer discovered that the resident was in need of medical assistance – breathing, but unresponsive. A medical response team was quickly sent to the home, and the resident was subsequently transported to the hospital.
Thankfully the resident had taken the time to sign up for the free Safe Call program provided by the City of Westerville Communications Division.