Sep 25, 2004 By Amy Karpinsky 2 min read

EAST MILLSBORO – When residents and businesses in close proximity to the State Correctional Institution at Fayette receive a call from the institution on Thursday, they should not be alarmed. The calls, which will be initiated practically by the touch of a button, will be the first test of the facility’s Community Alert Network (CAN) system. SCI-Fayette superintendent Harry E. Wilson explained that the system allows the institution to alert the community when emergencies occur. He said the network is up and running at all 26 institutions.

“It allows us to pre-select all the residents and businesses within a certain radius,” Wilson said.

SCI-Fayette emergency preparedness coordinator Lt. P.M. Heaps said after the initial Sept. 30 test, random tests will be completed once a quarter. The test will include homes and businesses within a one-mile radius, but others can be included up to a two-mile radius.

Heaps said telephone numbers can be added or subtracted; it isn’t mandatory to be on the call list.

The technology was initially tested as SCI-Pittsburgh, SCI-Greene and SCI-Camp Hill last year.

Wilson said the system uses new “state-of-the-art technology.”

“It’s intended for us to be a good neighbor. We don’t want to do anything people don’t know about,” he said.

Wilson said the system is initiated by just one call. He said a pre-recorded message greets all those who answer. “One call does it all. We can notify about testing or an incident or, God forbid, an escape, we can notify about anything,” Wilson said. “It’s very quick.”

In addition to keeping those in close proximity informed of notable events, Wilson said he hopes to become a better neighbor to the community. He said eventually, he would like to have inmates go out and pick up litter or participate in community projects with churches, schools or fire departments.

“We want to be able to contribute to the community,” Wilson said.