2018-167 CodeRed SystemDate: November 16, 2018 Report No. 2018-167
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
CodeRED Emergency Notification System and CodeRED Weather Warning Service
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with details regarding the CodeRED
System.
DISCUSSION:
Background
CodeRED is the City's primary emergency notification system designed to deliver geo-targeted,
time-sensitive information to any individual opting into the service. This high-speed notification
system was implemented in 2008 Users can customize notification preferences and can receive
notification through all three available tools: recorded phone message, text, and email. As of
May 2018, there are 66,605 registered numbers in the City of Denton’s CodeRED database.
Components
CodeRED Weather Notification System is automatically activated moments after a warning is
issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for tornado, severe thunderstorm, flash flooding,
and/or ice storm. When a warning is issued by the NWS, individuals who are registered and live
in the warning area will receive the information. If a call is missed, recipients may call back the
number from their Caller ID to hear the last message delivered to their phone in its entirety.
CodeRED Emergency Notification System is manually activated by the City’s Emergency
Management Coordinator (EMC) for a variety of local emergencies. Previous notifications have
included missing children alerts to smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system. When activating
emergency notifications there is a three-step manual process:
1. Determine the geographical area to be notified via the on-line mapping system.
2. Record the message to be delivered.
3. Activate notifications to the targeted area.
CodeRED is an opt-in system, individuals must register to receive weather and emergency
notifications.
Public Outreach
In partnership with the Public Communications Office, a public outreach campaign was
conducted in July and September 2018. The goal was to raise awareness about CodeRED and to
encourage citizens to register.
The CodeRED campaign included a printed flyer with the July utility bill. Recurring
posts/messages on social media applications: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor. A
featured story in the Resident Update newsletter.
Date: November 16, 2018 Report No. 2018-167
DTV developed a video shown on the City’s YouTube channel which is available to share with
other public education outlets, and the Fire Department had a public education booth on Public
Safety Day held at the University of North Texas as part of National Preparedness Month
activities.
In addition, the Denton County Health Department conducted a Community Assessment for
Public Health Emergency through a door-to-door survey on the northeast side of Denton on
Saturday, October 6. As part of the survey, approximately 250 CodeRED fliers and other public
education materials were provided to citizens.
Individuals may sign up for CodeRED notifications through the City’s website. In addition, there
is a free mobile alert application that can be utilized by any smart phone.
The City currently has an Interlocal Agreement with DENCO 911 to provide registered landline
information to the City. The City provides the data to CodeRED on an annual basis. Otherwise,
registration data included in the database is a mix of publicly available records, information from
surveys, national white and yellow page listings, state and federal public material, Secretary of
State records, as well as data from private vendors that CodeRED has contracted with.
Pilot Program
Denton Municipal Electric (DME) has coordinated with the Technology Services Department to
pilot an opt-in notification system for DME staff. The CodeRED System would be used to notify
DME employees in the event of an emergency incident.
Other Jurisdiction Uses
CodeRED has been utilized by other jurisdictions to deliver a variety of information to
individuals. Recent notifications included information for a planned water main replacement in
St. Joseph, MO; a boil water advisory in New Albany, KY; a controlled burn near Silverhorne,
CO; a fire evacuation order in Pulga, CA; and mosquito spraying for West Nile Virus in
Greenwood County, SC.
Cost
The annual cost for CodeRED is $44,299 under the sole source agreement, which includes
unlimited system minutes (phone calls, e-mails, texting), and foreign language translation.
STAFF CONTACT:
Michael Penaluna, Emergency Management Coordinator
(940) 349-8836
Michael.Penaluna@cityofdenton.com