Register Now for City of Sycamore Test of CodeRED System Wednesday

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at 10am, the City of Sycamore will be performing an “All Call” test to all of the registered phone numbers in the CodeRED Emergency Notification System. The “All Call” test is designed to determine how quickly notifications can be delivered to the entire community in case of an actual emergency as well as validate the telephone numbers contained within the existing phone number data base. This performance test is part of the implementation of the CodeRED notification system will send phone calls with a verbal message to all registered landlines and cell phones, as well as a short test message to all registered text messages and email addresses.

After just less than two months after the launch, hundreds of citizens and business’ have registered their contact information.

Prior to the October 1 test, Sycamore Fire Chief Peter Polarek encourages all City of Sycamore and Sycamore Fire Protection district residents to enroll their contact information, including cell phone numbers, text and email addresses and specify their notification preferences by visiting the CodeRED notification enrollment page on the City of Sycamore’s website at www.cityofsycamore.com

Chief Polarek further emphasized that no one should assume their telephone number is included. He cautions residents that if your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called. One of the reasons the CodeRED system was selected is that it gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own phone numbers directly into the system’s database, and that information is immediately available to Sycamore officials to contact in case of emergency.

Those without internet access may use the computer labs located at the Sycamore Public Library during normal business hours.

All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address with the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number. “Code RED allows geographically based delivery, which means street addresses are required to ensure emergency notification calls are received by the proper individuals in a given situation.

Residents are also encouraged to download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app to receive local emergency, general and missing person public safety alerts directly on their smart phones that are specific to the subscriber’s current location. The CodeRED Mobile Alert app may be downloaded on iTunes, Google Play or by visiting http://ecnetwork.com/mobile/getitnow.html

If there are any questions concerning the CodeRED system or the upcoming October 1 performance test, please contact Fire Chief Peter Polarek at 815.895.4514.