The Carrier Alert program started in the early 80's. Its purpose was to keep an eye on our postal customers who are home bound, the elderly and the handicapped. The customer signs up, telling the carrier to "keep an eye on them." If there is an accumulation of mail, help would be summoned.
Want to know more about Carrier Alert? Click http://www.nalc.org/commun/alert/index.html
Do your customers know about this? Think it's a good program? Have you ever known someone who's life was saved by it?
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7 comments:
I always read about carriers calling for help when something doesn't look right at a home or mailbox; but, I didn't realize there was a formal program like this.
I've never been a carrier but I've worked for the Postal Service over 30 years. I live alone and after retirement I will definitely sign up for this program.
I know it puts more work/stress on our carriers but, gee, what a wonderful program. Many people can't afford those alarms you wear around your neck. We should advertise this!
Even without a formal program, carriers do -- and should -- make inquiry when an elderly customer who normally retrieves their mail does not do so.
This would be a great one for Al - incorporate the carrier pickup and this program. As a carrier we always were watching for an accumulation of mail especially if the customer hadn't told us they were going on vacation or away for a few days. I had lots of elderly people on my route and while none of them actually signed up through this program, they told me about themselves and I made a point to pay attentio when things were out of the ordinary. My grandmother had a stroke and didn't pick up her mail one day. The carrier called me at home (we worked together) to let me know about it. I was very thankful even though we had already found her earlier that day. I hadn't gotten her mail out of the box and the carrier didn't know we had been there. That was real customer service on his part.
I had an elderly customer who came in every day, without fail, to pick up his PO Box mail. One afternoon I noticed his mail was still in his box and I called his neighbor and asked him to check in on my customer. Unfortunately he had passed away in his sleep, but we were able to notify his family in the next state immediately so they could make arrangements. This is something USPS employees do every day and that those predicting (and encouraging) the end of the USPS don't even think about. We're at every house every day and we know and care about our custmers.
Our carriers are all heroes in the own right. I think we should also team up with law enforcement for Amber alerts, and missing people (ex: alzheimer's). All it would take is an email to the offices in the area in the morning and you immediately have that many more roads covered with alot of eyes.
Is there a similar "official" program for the rural craft? Most rural carriers certainly consider their customers' welfare anyway.
Excellent point Levi... too bad management doesn't recognize this...
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