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Hotlines - Effective and immediate Communications in large-scale public incidents
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Effective communication is paramount during major incidents impacting large numbers of the public. The Sentinel Hotline emerges as an essential tool, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination. This blog explores the key features and benefits of the Sentinel Hotline in managing crisis communications.

Real-Time Information Dissemination

In the chaos of a major incident, misinformation can spread rapidly. The Sentinel Hotline serves as a centralised source for real-time updates, providing the public with accurate information and instructions. Incident managers can effortlessly push updates to multiple hotlines, tailoring messages to specific geographical areas or groups. This targeted communication ensures that affected individuals receive pertinent information promptly.  

Multilingual Support for Inclusive Communication

Diverse communities require communication solutions that transcend language barriers. The Sentinel Hotline offers automated text-to-voice conversion in 27 languages, ensuring that critical information is accessible to non-English speakers. This inclusivity fosters trust and ensures that all individuals receive the guidance they need during emergencies.  

Efficient Message Handling and Reporting

Managing incoming information during a crisis is as crucial as disseminating updates. The Sentinel Hotline features reporting hotlines equipped with a message handling console, allowing incident managers to collect, organise, and respond to incoming messages efficiently. This streamlined approach enhances situational awareness and informs decision-making processes.  

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Call Centres

Establishing and staffing a traditional call centre during a major incident can be resource-intensive. The Sentinel Hotline provides a cloud-based, automated solution that delivers crisis updates by simply typing a message, which is then converted to voice using AI technology. This approach significantly reduces operational costs while maintaining effective communication channels.  

Seamless Integration with Crisis Communication Strategies

The Sentinel Hotline is designed to complement existing crisis communication plans. It integrates with mass alerting software, enabling organisations to send targeted, multichannel communications, including SMS, email, voice, push notifications, and live chat. This cohesive strategy ensures that messages reach the intended audience through multiple touch points, enhancing the likelihood of timely awareness and response. 

Conclusion

In the face of major incidents affecting large populations, the Sentinel Hotline stands out as a vital communication tool. Its real-time updates, multilingual support, efficient message handling, cost-effectiveness, and seamless integration with broader crisis communication strategies make it an indispensable asset for organisations aiming to manage emergencies effectively and maintain public trust.

Richard Stephenson
Written by Richard Stephenson
02 Apr 2025
Richard is the CEO of crisis management software provider YUDU Sentinel. Richard has run public listed companies, mid-market private equity investments and tech start-ups. His professional skills include digital strategy, crisis management, risk and digital document publishing.