Miami-Dade & Broward's 311 System A Useful Resource

MIAMI (CBS4) - Ever wonder how you can bypass long hold times, digital operators and connect to a real person for some real help? By calling 311, you can do all of that.

"It's basically a one-stop shop for local government services," Jorge Gomez, the Director of 311 Miami-Dade call center explained to CBS4's Nicole Maristany.

A wealth of knowledge is just a phone call away.

"Our goal here at 311 is to provide as much information to county residents as possible," Said A.J. Stark, Director of Broward County. "Animal care, parks and recreation, permitting and licensing, consumer protection."

Across both counties, 311 is the go-to place to both report and receive information.

"Anything that comes to us, we'll be able to either process it or get you to the right place to get the information and the service,." said Gomez, adding "We do answer calls for English, Spanish and Creole."

And you can imagine how helpful 311 becomes when a storm threatens.

"During hurricane season we pride ourselves on being an official source for information," said Starks.

Just before, during and after a storm, 311 runs 24/7 to answer your calls.

"You can just call us and ask us about everything, from FEMA, to the evacuation centers, to where you can get food and ice," explained, Gomez.

And you don't even have to use the phone to call. Recently 311 Miami-Dade launched a free mobile app where you can report everything from a pot hole to an animal concern, and Broward answers questions via e-mail.

"We want to make sure that the information we are providing is reliable, accurate and timely from a public safety stand point," explained Starks.

To connect with 311 Miami-Dade or Broward simply dial 3-1-1.

CLICK HERE  to visit Broward 311 online.

CLICK HERE to visit Miami-Dade 311 online.