(May 5, 2016) Worcester County’s Emergency Notification System, CodeRED, will be tested on Saturday, May 7, to validate a portion of telephone numbers in the database. This will coincide with the monthly testing of the county’s emergency alert siren system.
Only a portion of the community will receive call attempts. There is no need for action whether or not community members receive a call.
The Caller ID will read “800-791-3749,” and the message will say “This is a test of your community’s CodeRED Emergency Notification System. No action is required, this is only a test. Had this been an actual emergency you would have received important information from your local officials. Again, this is only a test.”
The process will increase the efficiency of the system and the speed in which notifications will be delivered when the system is used during an actual emergency.
“Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit our website and update their contact information,” Worcester County Emergency Services Director Fred Webster said. “If your phone number is not in the database, you will not receive a call when we do launch an important notification. In particular, individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, those who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number should add or update their contact information in the emergency database.
“The county has in the neighborhood of 55,000 full-time residents. With the last system we had less than 1,000 people register,” he added
The new system adds the ability to send not only phone calls but also text messages and emails. Emails and texts are strictly voluntary, and residents must use the proper check boxes on the registration form to receive them, according to Webster.
The CodeRED system allows Worcester County officials to effectively reach residents and county personnel by using the system capabilities to send telephone calls, text messages, emails and social media in an effort to effectively inform residents to protect life and property.
Webster urges citizens to visit the Worcester County website, www.co.worcester.md.us, and click on the CodeRED logo. For more information, call 410-632-3080.
Only a portion of the community will receive call attempts. There is no need for action whether or not community members receive a call.
The Caller ID will read “800-791-3749,” and the message will say “This is a test of your community’s CodeRED Emergency Notification System. No action is required, this is only a test. Had this been an actual emergency you would have received important information from your local officials. Again, this is only a test.”
The process will increase the efficiency of the system and the speed in which notifications will be delivered when the system is used during an actual emergency.
“Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit our website and update their contact information,” Worcester County Emergency Services Director Fred Webster said. “If your phone number is not in the database, you will not receive a call when we do launch an important notification. In particular, individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, those who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number should add or update their contact information in the emergency database.
“The county has in the neighborhood of 55,000 full-time residents. With the last system we had less than 1,000 people register,” he added
The new system adds the ability to send not only phone calls but also text messages and emails. Emails and texts are strictly voluntary, and residents must use the proper check boxes on the registration form to receive them, according to Webster.
The CodeRED system allows Worcester County officials to effectively reach residents and county personnel by using the system capabilities to send telephone calls, text messages, emails and social media in an effort to effectively inform residents to protect life and property.
Webster urges citizens to visit the Worcester County website, www.co.worcester.md.us, and click on the CodeRED logo. For more information, call 410-632-3080.