Blue Earth County Emergency Management is planning to conduct a test notification alert during the afternoon of Thurs., Dec. 4 for its new CodeRED Emergency Notification System. The test is part of implementation for the system that will notify citizens by phone, text or e-mail if they are part of the emergency notification database. Those receiving the alert are asked to take note of the message and to update contact information and preferences for receiving future emergency notifications. Citizens who do not receive the test message are encouraged to visit the County’s website to sign-up for future emergency notifications, especially those using cellular phones as their main point of contact. More information about the CodeRED system in addition to sign-up instructions for individuals and businesses can be found on the Blue Earth County website at www.blueearthcountymn.gov/CodeRED.
Following implementation, the CodeRED system will serve as the backbone of the County’s emergency planning and communications outreach to both citizens and staff by using the system capabilities to send telephone calls, text messages and e-mails in an effort to effectively inform residents to protect lives and property in the event of an emergency. Notification information will also be sent out to those who follow Blue Earth County on social media via Twitter and Facebook.
“CodeRED’s robust system will provide officials with a reliable, easy-to-use interface to quickly disseminate critical information to our citizens during emergencies,” stated Mike Maurer, Blue Earth County Emergency Management Director. “We are very eager to use this technology to enhance our emergency preparedness plans.”
Public safety officials across the United States have credited CodeRED notifications for many successful events including locating missing children, apprehending wanted criminals and issuing timely evacuations. The County anticipates using the system to notify residents in specific geographic locations regarding critical emergencies such as tornado warnings, evacuation notices, flooding and missing child alerts. CodeRED is capable of sending important messages to landlines and cellular phones.
All contact information provided remains private and is only used for emergency notification purposes. Those without internet access can sign-up or modify contact information using computer terminals at any of the three Blue Earth County Library locations in Lake Crystal, Mankato or Mapleton. Additionally, mobile app options and further information about the CodeRED system is available on the Blue Earth County website at www.blueearthcountymn.gov/CodeRED. A phone line at (507) 304-4920 has been established for the public with questions following the test notification being sent.