Redwood City's 'CodeRED' Emergency Notification System

"Disaster preparedness" is a term we hear often. You never know what night happen - the next big earthquake, a flood or tsunami, a terrorist attack - and being prepared isn't something you want to leave until one of those happen before you take the time to think about it.

The City of Redwood City announced two tools it is offering to help get locals prepared, and to help them should an emergency arise - a two-hour Are You Ready? course that's available for your group and the City will bring straight to you, and Redwood City's CodeRED emergency notification system.

Redwood City's CodeRED

"CodeRED" is Redwood City's emergency notification system, which allows the City to telephone, text and e-mail targeted areas or neighborhoods, or the entire City, in the event of an emergency situation, to deliver a pre-recorded message.

Locals can have the system include your cell phone, work phone or other alternate number - even if it's outside of the local 650 area code - plus e-mail and text information, so that you are sure to be notified when a CodeRED alert is activated in the area of your home or business.

The database already contains many thousands of numbers, connected to Redwood City addresses, but locals should go to www.redwoodcity.org/codered to ensure you're in there, and that the information is up-to-date.

'Are You Ready?' Course

You can schedule a free, two-hour "Are You Ready?" disaster preparation class for your own group, neighborhood, office, business, or team, with a minimum of 20 people, on your schedule, provided by the Redwood City Fire Department.

The presentation will provide valuable and very useful information on topics such as:

• Creating a family/office disaster plan
• Assembling home/office and portable disaster supply kits
• Sheltering in place
• Evacuation procedures
• Preparing for and responding to specific disasters

In all places - home, work or school - it pays to be ready and prepared to deal with all types of natural and man-made disasters, the City said in a statement.

"Here on the Peninsula, we are subject to power outages, earthquakes, fires, floods, severe storms, extreme heat, gas leaks, plane crashes, disease and/or flu pandemics, and a host of other possible situations. The potential for an act of terror adds yet another dimension to disaster awareness and preparedness," the City's statement said. "When a disaster happens and police, fire and emergency services are spread thin, will you be prepared to care for yourself, family, friends and neighbors?"

The Redwood City Fire Department will offer the training at the Fire Station or at your own preferred location. To schedule a free presentation for your group of 20 or more, contact the Redwood City Fire Department's emergency preparedness coordinator, Christy Adonis, at 650-780-5798 or cadonis@redwoodcity.org

Are you registered for Redwood City's CodeRED? Do you think you're prepared for a local disaster or emergency? Tell us in the comments below.

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