Franklin County CodeRED



CodeRED Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is CodeRED?

The CodeRED Emergency Notification System is a fast communication service allowing Franklin County to notify citizens of an emergency situation. It enables the county to provide mass notification quickly and easily. This service is free to all Franklin County residents and businesses located within the county boundaries.

How will I benefit from this service?

This high-speed telephone system will allow Franklin County contact participants to provide information about a critical situation, what action needs to be taken, and notification that the situation has been resolved.
 
What do I have to do to receive this benefit?

To receive CodeRED and Weather Warning Calls, you must register your home, cell phone, or business phone number in the CodeRED database. If you would like to join the Weather Warning program make sure to check the Weather Warning Box on the Registration Form before you submit.

Click Here to Sign up for CodeRED and CodeRED Weather Warning

How does it work?

CodeRED delivers the important message through a high-speed telephone calling system to a phone number on the CodeRED database. County staff will access CodeRED via a secure portal on the web. A "call area" will be marked identifying street addresses. Telephone numbers will be matched up electronically to these addresses through the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). A pre-recorded message will be sent out via the telephone with information about the incident and possibly instructions for action to be taken.
 
What should I do if I receive a CodeRED message?

  • Listen Carefully
  • Follow Instructions
  • Don’t hang up until you hear the whole message
                (the message will not be repeated)
  • DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless instructed to do so (You will only tie up emergency lines)

What should I do if I don’t receive a message?

Your area of the community may not be affected.  In which case, you won’t receive a call even if it’s only a block away.

Will the system work with cell phones?

Yes. But, your cell phone number needs to be associated with your Franklin County address. We encourage you to register your cell phone number.
 
What is CodeRED used for?

CodeRED will be used for significant incidents and events where the timely notification of an affected population or geographic area is essential.

How Do I Register?

The following information is required to add a telephone number into the "CodeRED" database: first and last name; address (physical address, no P.O. boxes); city; state; Zip Code; and primary phone number. A primary phone number is most likely the identified home phone number. An alternate phone number, such as a mobile phone, can also be entered and both the primary and alternate line will be contacted in the event of an emergency. The system works with cellular phones but requires a Franklin County street address. When entering information, please fill out all of the screens because the newest data entered will replace the old data.

For those who are hearing impaired, the sign up form offers a TDD ONLY option for tone delivery of emergency messages. Messages delivered to phone numbers marked TDD will only be delivered in a TDD/TTY format. Residents without Internet access may visit any of the public libraries to use a computer to register or call the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 641-456-6035.  

THIS SYSTEM WILL BE USED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES OR NOTIFICATION OF INFORMATION CONSIDERED TO BE VITALLY IMPORTANT
Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be utilized: drinking water contamination, utility outage, evacuation notice, missing person, fires or floods, bomb threat, hostage situation, chemical spill or gas leak, and other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety.