CodeRed. You may have seen this term on our department Facebook Page, the county’s EMA page for Emergency Management, and the Monroe County’s webpage; but what is it? And why is it important for you?

What is CodeRed and why is Monroe County using it?

CodeRED is an emergency notification system that allows emergency response personnel to notify residents and business owners during an emergency.

When will CodeRED be used?

Any message regarding the safety of the community will be disseminated using CodeRED. Monroe County will send out alerts via phone, text, or email in a variety of emergency situations, including evacuation notices, police activity, fire emergencies and more. Weather alerts are sent, but they are sent as received by the National Weather Service. We recommend also signing up independently for weather alerts directly to receive the most instantaneous alerts.

How do I sign up?

Visit https://www.tinyurl.com/MCEScodeRED and enter the required information (address, name, phone number(s), and email.) 

How do I update my CodeRED Notifications?

If you need to change your phone number, address, email address or add any of the previous, please log into your CodeRed account, the same link as above.

What if I do not have the Internet?

Monroe County encourage residents to talk to their family, friends and neighbors for help using the Internet to sign up, or visit your local library. Dispatchers and other emergency response personnel cannot register users over the phone.

Can I register more than two phone numbers for one address?

Yes. Once you enter two phone numbers, and click "submit," you can visit the CodeRED sign in page again and register additional numbers. At this time, we do not recommended creating a managed account because it will not show all numbers associated with that address at this time.

Will my phone number automatically be included?

Some Monroe County residents may have been signed up for a previous system that all jurisdictions within Monroe County used. Monroe County is no longer using that system. It is highly suggested all residents sign up for the new system to ensure they are included in this important effort. Business owners are also encouraged to register their contact information.

Do I need to renew my registration at any time?

Renewals are not necessary as long as contact information does not change. Users who move must re-register.

How is my personal information protected?

CodeRED, and Monroe County, take privacy concerns very seriously. They will not sell, trade, lease or loan any data citizen’s supply.

How will I recognize a CodeRED message?

A CodeRED Emergency message will have a caller ID No. of 866.419.5000 and will be identified using the name "Emergency Comm." We suggest programming the number into your cell phone as a new contact and using the name CodeRED Emergency. If you need to replay the emergency notification message again, simply dial the number, and you will be able to hear the message again. Calls to Fire and Police departments could overload the system.

What should I do if I receive a CodeRED message?

Listen carefully to the entire message. You will have the option to repeat the message by pressing any key. Do not call 9-1-1 for further information unless directed to do so or if you need immediate aid from the police or fire department. Nonemergency calls into dispatch could overload the system.

I have a landline, 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. In addition, 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.

Will the CodeRED System leave a message on my answering machine?

Yes.

What happens if the line is busy?

If the line is busy, CodeRED will try two more times to connect. It is important to register more than one number (for example a cell phone and home phone) because CodeRED will try the user's second preference, should the first line not answer. It will NOT override the current call.

What circumstances might prevent a message from being delivered to me?

·         If you do not have a landline and did not register a cell phone or alternate phone number or email.

·         If your contact information has changed and you have not re-registered your information.

·         If you only have a landline at your residence, the power is out and you did not register an alternate phone number.

·         If your landline is busy for an extended time and your calls do not forward to voicemail or an answering machine. CodeRED will NOT override the current call.

·         If you have call blocking on your main phone and you did not register an alternate phone. Monroe County will receive a report of undelivered calls and can instruct the CodeRED system to begin another round of calls to busy numbers. It is best to have an alternate phone number in the calling database for these situations.

How reliable is this system?

According to national averages, emergency notification systems connect with users 70 percent of the time. Cell tower connections and technology issues impact these statistics.

What is the CodeRED mobile app?

CodeRED offers a mobile app for Android and iPhones. Monroe County residents and business owners who download the app will receive CodeRED alerts for the geolocation of the phone. Alerts will include community, emergency and severe weather updates. The Automated Severe Weather Alerts are free for the first 30 days, but to continue use, the user must pay $4.99 annually. The revenue goes to CodeRED, not Monroe County or individual municipalities. If users do not want to continue the Automated Weather Warnings, they can keep the CodeRED PSA App on their phone for free.