In an effort to enhance the existing emergency notification system, Dinwiddie’s Division of Fire & EMS is asking residents to register for the CodeRED emergency notification system. This county-to-resident notification system allows County leaders to quickly send personalized voice messages, text messages, emails and social media notifications to residents and local businesses regarding severe weather warnings, emergency instructions and local community matters and events.
While County E911 data is loaded into the CodeRED system, the data only includes physical addresses and landline telephone numbers. Citizens for whom cellular is the sole source of telephone service, or for those who prefer to receive messages via text and/or email, online registration and account creation is required. A link to the CodeRED service portal can be found on the homepage of the Dinwiddie County website: www.dinwiddieva.us. Look for the green, tab at the left side of the screen, labeled “Emergency Notification System” or click “CODE RED” in the center menu.
Fire & EMS officials are aware that citizens are quickly moving away from traditional landline telephones and utilizing cellular phones as their main line of communication. Surprisingly, there has been very low number of citizens registering their cellular phone numbers in the emergency notification system. All citizens are encouraged to go online to set up an account so that they are able to receive notifications and maximize the effectiveness of the system.
Citizens with smart phones, may also use the CodeRED mobile application. By downloading this app and enabling the location service function on their smartphone, the app will allow the user to receive emergency notifications based on their current location as opposed to their home address only. The app will even notify a user if they are travelling outside of Dinwiddie in another jurisdiction that utilizes the CodeRED system. To download or get more information on the app visit: http://ecnetwork.com/codered-mobile-alert-app/
For additional information visit the Dinwiddie County website or contact the Division of Fire & EMS at: (804) 469-5388.