City of Richmond launches new “CodeRED” emergency notification service

As we reach the height of a very active hurricane season and other threats loom in an increasingly complex world, it’s good to be prepared. The City of Richmond has taken steps towards keeping the public informed in times of emergency by launching a new alert service known as CodeRED.

This system will allow city officials to quickly deliver alert messages regarding emergency situations. Citizens can sign up for emergency alerts and weather warnings, and the notifications can be sent to a cell phones, landlines, or email addresses. The CodeRED system also has the ability to use Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to target specific areas based on emergency situations.

Mayor Stoney released a statement Wednesday encouraging all citizens and businesses to register for the service. An app is also available for download.

“Keeping our residents, visitors and businesses safe and informed at all times is important,” Stoney said. He says CodeRED is just another way the city aims to do so. “The CodeRED system will give residents, visitors, and businesses the ability to add their own phone numbers directly into a database to receive emergency alerts,” Stoney continued. “If your contact information is not in the database, you may not be able to receive alerts. No one should assume his or her phone number is automatically included.”

The service is similar to the existing VCU Alert service, which sends out emergency notifications to the school community in instances of severe weather, when major crimes have occurred, and when other hazards present themselves. The major difference with the CodeRED service will be the city’s ability to target messages to a hyper-local audience, such as when an incident affects only a certain street or neighborhood, for example.

CodeRED is operated by a company called OnSolve, who provides similar services to hundreds of other municipalities across the country.

As part of the rollout, CodeRED will be making an inaugural call to help calibrate the system in the next couple weeks, city officials say.

Only city residents can subscribe to text, email, and phone call alerts from CodeRED. Those who work–but do not live–in the City of Richmond are encouraged to download the CodeRED app, available for both Android and iOS devices, on the App Store or Google Play store.

Sign up and stay informed

• Sign up for text, email, and phone alerts (city residents only)
• Download the CodeRED app for Apple iOS devices
• Download the CodeRED app for Android devices