NEW PUBLIC EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

In an effort to reach more citizens during an emergency, Park County now uses the CodeRED Emergency Notification System. With this system, citizens are able to enter their own data and choose how they would like to receive the notification. The link below allows Park County residents the ability to supply their own information.  Not only does this ensure a more accurate database, but also allows residents to input an unlisted number, their cell phone number or any other secondary phone numbers.  This will create a more robust database and reach more residents with essential emergency information.

If you would like to be notified in an emergency, please click on the CodeRED logo below to go to our emergency notification webpage. From there, you can fill out a simple form to be added to the database. This information will be sent to the Park County Office of Emergency Management for review and approval prior to being finalized and officially entered into the database.

Important Information About Emergency Notifications To Your Home:

What YOU should know about PARK COUNTY’S CodeRED® service

Question:     What is CodeRED® and why is it important to me?

Answer:       CodeRED® is a new Park County service by which officials can notify residents by telephone about emergency situations or critical community alerts. The system is capable of sending messages only to people affected by a particular situation, or, in the case of a widespread emergency like a blizzard, to the entire population.

The speed of the CodeRED® system (up to 60,000 calls per hour) is so great that we are able to send a message to affected households almost as quickly as officials become aware of the situation.

Question:     Does this mean that I will be getting constantly receiving phone calls?

Answer:       No. Park County respects your privacy. CodeRED® will be used only when situations arise that you should know about.

 Question:     For what kinds of situations will CodeRED® be used?

Answer:       Blizzard, and other types of severe weather, wildfire, water main breaks, alerts concerning a missing child or adult, law enforcement emergencies, hazardous material spills – in short, any and all emergencies and community alerts.

Question:     Why do I need CodeRED® when I have radio and TV to keep me informed?

Answer:       CodeRED® is an additional measure of safety Park County officials and administration believe all of our residents need and deserve. If power goes out, you may not be able to depend upon radio and TV. However, because telephone lines are self-powered, officials can continue to keep you informed through messages delivered by CodeRED®.

Many emergencies occur without advance warning. In such cases, you may have no reason to turn on a TV or radio. That’s when CodeRED® can help officials alert you immediately and advise you to take appropriate action.

Question:     I have a cordless phone, and it does not work when the power goes out. How is CodeRED® going to be able to contact me?

Answer:       There are two ways you can continue to receive telephone messages from the County through CodeRED®:

1.      Make sure you have at least one working corded telephone – and be sure to turn the ringer on.

2.      The CodeRED® “Residential Data Collection” sign-up form gives you the option of filling in both a Primary Phone number and an alternate phone number. You can fill in the Alternate Phone number blank with your cell telephone number, or you can make it your Primary Phone number if you wish. Entering an alternate phone number will cause BOTH your primary and alternate phone numbers to be called.

Of course, no form of communication is guaranteed to remain in operation under severe conditions such as those produced by a wildfire. CodeRED® does widen the safety margin by offering residents another new and powerful means of learning about vital, timely information.

Question:     Does the system have my telephone number, or do I have to sign up to receive CodeRED® emergency calls?

Answer:       To ensure we have your correct contact information we strongly encourage you to sign up for CodeRED®. After all, you are the most reliable source of information about how to reach your household by phone.

Because Park County wants to reach everyone affected by an emergency whether or not they have signed up for CodeRED®, the system comes with a database prepared by the company that supplies CodeRED® service.  This database is updated regularly.  

If you have moved or changed your telephone number recently, you should definitely sign up for CodeRED® service or update information you have already provided. Any new information you supply will automatically replace old information.

Question:     How do I sign up for CodeRED®?

Answer:       On or before March 1, 2008, the Park County emergency management webpage, www.parkco.us/oem.htm, will have a link to a CodeRED® Residential Data Collection Form you can fill out online. This is the quickest, easiest way to sign up because the information you supply will immediately update Park County’s CodeRED® telephone number database.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can fill out a paper form that will be available at local government offices. This form is a duplicate of the online form. Or if you prefer, you can call the Park County Office of Emergency Management at (719) 836-4372 to give the data that is needed to update your information.

Question:     Can I arrange to have CodeRED® call my place of business?

Answer:       Yes. Go to the Park County emergency management website, www.parkco.us/oem.htm, and click on the CodeRED®® link. When the Residential Data Collection form opens, click on the button labeled “Click to Switch to Business Data” and fill in the required information. Please note that emergency calls can only be delivered to a direct dial number. Automated attendants will disrupt the process and calls will not be delivered.

Question:     Who provides the CodeRED® service? Is the company reputable?

Answer:       Emergency Communications Network in Ormond Beach, Florida, provides the service to Park County. In business since 1996, the company provides CodeRED® service to several hundred municipalities around the country.

Park County selected CodeRED® after researching and reviewing several similar services.

Question:     I live near Park County, but I am not a resident. Can I sign up for CodeRED®?

Answer:       No, unfortunately. Park County pays for CodeRED® service based on its own population. However, we encourage you to check with the county or city in which you live. Many use automated telephone notification systems to alert residents in times of emergency.

 A vitally important service, CodeRED® is yet another way Park County is seeking to improve public communications and reach out to citizens.

If you have any further questions about CodeRED®, please call the Park County Office of Emergency Management at (719) 836-4372.

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