FAQs • CodeRED

CodeRED

1. What is CodeRED and why is it important to me?: The CodeRED Emergency Telephone Calling System is a high-speed telephone communication service utilized to deliver information regarding urgent situations. The system is geographically based, meaning that street addresses are used to select which telephone numbers receive notification calls in a given situation. The system works with both landline and mobile telephones (name of mobile provider will be required), but a street address is required in either case.

2. What types of emergencies will CodeRED be used for and how often will it be used?: There are two types of notices that go out on CodeRED: Emergency Notifications - used for significant incidents and events where the timely notification of an affected population or geographic area is essential relating to PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY and WELLNESS purposes. Examples include: •Drinking water contamination •Boil water notices due to loss of water pressure •Extended utility outages •Missing person •Fires, floods, bomb threat, hostage situation, chemical spill or gas leak, and other incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety. General Notifications – used for incidents and events where timely notification of an affected population or geographic area is relevant to the CONVENIENCE and ENJOYMENT of the community. Examples include: •Road closures •Trash Pickup disruptions •Notice of a city sponsored special event

3. Who determines when a notice will be issued?: Notices involving public safety and missing persons will generally be determined by the Chief of Police. Boil water notices or utility outages will generally be determined by the Public Works Director. Other notices will be determined by the City Administrator or Mayor.

4. What options do I have when I sign up for CodeRED?: You can choose the types of notices you get on your phone and whether you want text messages or emails. Everyone that signs up will get Emergency Notifications and Non-Emergency Notices involving health and safety. You have an option to opt out of General Notifications and you will also have an option to request Weather Notifications of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and/or flash floods. If you would like to sign up for CodeRED Notifications contact the city at (903) 849- 6853 #1.

5. How do I sign up for CodeRED and why should I enroll?: If you maintain a landline telephone number you may already be included in the CodeRED Emergency Alert System database. The database is updated quarterly for listed landlines. However, you should not assume you are signed up or that all your preferences are correct. You can sign up for the service in two ways: You can go online at www.chandlertx.com and go to the CodeRED link at the bottom of the page or call City Hall at (903)849-6853 and they will sign you up. The following should register for CodeRED: 1. Households and/or businesses that do not maintain a landline telephone. 2. Individuals who use a mobile telephone as their primary telephone or who wish to be contacted when they are away from their landline telephone. 3. Individuals with unlisted telephone numbers 4. Businesses or residents who have changed their telephone number or address (generally within the past twelve months). 5. All businesses (enter the preferred telephone number for delivery of emergency messages, which may be a number other than their primary business line).

6. Is there a cost for enrolling in CodeRED?: There is no cost to enroll in the CodeRED Emergency Alert System. It is one of the many benefits of living or doing business in the City of Chandler.

7. Does enrollment in the CodeRED Emergency Alert System automatically register me for the Severe Weather Warning System?: The Severe Weather Warning System is an optional service offered through CodeRED, but you are not automatically registered for this service even if you are registered for standard CodeRED services. Residents and businesses are strongly urged to register for the weather warning system via the CodeRED registration link on the city’s web page at www.chandlertx.com. Like CodeRED, there is no charge for the weather warning service.

8. What if I don't want all of the weather notifications provided by the Severe Weather Warning System?: The system provides notifications of severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings (the system does not provide notification of tornado watches). You can choose to be notified of all severe weather events or your choice of events. For example, you can choose to only receive notice of tornado warnings. The CodeRED registration site will walk you through the process so that you can tailor your choices as you please. You can always change your preferences or remove your telephone number from the Severe Weather Warning System by accessing your online account.

9. Can I register more than one telephone number?: Yes, you can register both a landline telephone number and/or a mobile telephone number by accessing the registration site. In either case, you will need to provide the Chandler address with which the telephone number is associated. If you have additional family members or business associates who use a mobile telephone, they can register their mobile telephones separately so long as each one uses the same address associated with the family or business.

10. What if I want to opt out of all CodeRED notifications?: If you live in the City limits or are in the Chandler water system and would like to OPT OUT of the CodeRED system totally, you must submit a waiver form and submit it (either by mail or in person) to the City of Chandler, P.O. Box 425, Chandler, TX 75758. The request should include all applicable telephone number(s) to be removed from the Emergency Alert database.

11. Can TTY/TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) equipment receive CodeRED notifications?: yes. When you register your telephone number, there is an option to enter the TTY/TDD information.

12. What if I'm not home to receive the alert message?: The CodeRED dialing system will leave emergency alert messages on your voicemail or your answering machine. If you do not have voicemail or an answering machine, or if your voicemail is full, CodeRED will dial your telephone number a total of three times.

13. What precautions are being taken to protect personal information?: CodeRED is a service of Emergency Communications Network (ECN) which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously and does not sell, trade, lease or loan any data about clients to any third party.

14. I have a cordless phone and it does not work when the power goes out. How will the system be able to contact me?: Make sure you have at least one working, corded telephone and be sure to turn the ringer on. The CodeRED sign-up form allows you to indicate both a primary and alternate phone number. Cell phone and/or work phone numbers can be entered as alternate phone numbers. Both primary and alternate phone numbers will be contacted when a notification is sent.

15. What should I do if I receive a CodeRED message?: Listen carefully to the entire message. It will be brief and at the end of the message, you will have the option to repeat the message by pressing any key. Follow the instructions given. Do not hang up until you have heard the entire message or you might miss vital information. Do not call 911 for further information unless directed to do so or if you need immediate aid from the Police or Fire Department.