Burlington Electric Department customers can now report any BED-related problems through SeeClickFix, an online and mobile interface that allows residents to document and report issues such as a flickering or nonworking streetlight, a utility hole that is improperly secured, or any other issue causing a problem. Along with reporting the problem, a customer can also take a photo to better illustrate the problem.
The City of Burlington has provided this service to its residents since 2012 for reporting city issues; now, issues related to electric service can also be submitted through the city’s app.
BED’s General Manager Neale Lunderville said, “BED is happy to be moving toward a more seamless way for our customers to report problems. SeeClickFix makes reporting very easy and should reduce response time.”
When submitting issues via mobile app, for example, residents can provide locational, descriptive and photographic information as they see the issue in real time. Once the resident submits an issue, the reporter, BED, and anyone ‘watching’ the area will receive an alert. BED can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper area, and update it to the reporter and other residents following the issue once it has been resolved. If customers are experiencing an outage or have information related to an outage, they should still call BED at 802-658-0300. Customers are also encouraged to follow BED on Twitter and Facebook for outage updates.
"SeeClickFix is excited to expand its presence in the City of Burlington through its new partnership with BED,” said Tobi Wilson, director of operations at SeeClickFix. “We look forward to working with the department to provide more service request offerings to residents in this great city!"
Launched in 2008, SeeClickFix allows citizens anywhere in the world to report and monitor non-emergency community issues, ranging from potholes and planted trees to garbage and graffiti. Through web and mobile applications, as well as embeddable widgets, SeeClickFix empowers citizens, community groups, media organizations, and governments to work together to improve neighborhoods. It is the most widely distributed citizen-reporting tool in the country, having recently surpassed 1 million issues. SeeClickFix supports the Open311 standard that promotes improved communication between local municipalities and the citizens they serve.
Source: BED 12.10.2014