Rehoboth adds emergency alert system

• System sends out alerts via text, calls, email and social media.
• Officials said enrollment takes less than 30 seconds.

The city of Rehoboth Beach has contracted with a company to provide emergency notifications to employees, business owners and residents.

It is capable of sending telephone calls, text messages, emails and social media alerts. The system will be used to notify residents of fires, severe weather and other emergency notices, such as missing children, in their specific area.

Commissioner Mark Hunker said he uses a similar system at Catapult Technology in Washington, D.C., where he is president and CEO.

"We can immediately notify employees if our office is going to be shut down. We can send out an alert," he said. "It's a great way to get information out very quickly, very safely and to a broad audience."

The system, CodeRED, is provided by Emergency Communications Network, a Florida-based company. It will cost the city $2,750 annually, said City Manager Sharon Lynn.

The system was a good choice for the city, Hunker said.

"Advanced warning and notice, all those kind of thing are good," he said. "I believe especially for the size of this city, it's a very good tool and a very manageable tool."

Stan Mills, who is the citizen co-coordinator for Rehoboth Beach Neighborhood Watch, said the system will be a good adjunct. Currently, the watch sends emails about recent crime activity and crime prevention.

"The advantage of CodeRED is that its dedicated to emergency notifications needing immediate delivery and receipt," he said.

Mills has already signed up for the system, and i took less than 30 seconds.

Lynn took the initiative to find and launch the system, Mills said.

Lynn said she wanted to implement the system because she used CodeRED previously when working for Provincetown, Massachusetts, and saw how helpful it was in getting the word out about emergencies.

"This is, I think, a better way to reach as many people as possible," she said. "Even second home owners who are not necessarily here during the week."

Right now the city isn't using social media alerts, but the system leaves the possibility open, she said.

The company has been provided with an initial list of contacts for businesses and residents, but people are still encouraged to self-enroll through the city's website, www.cityofrehoboth.com. Clicking on a banner on the site will direct a visitor to the enrollment page.

rpacella@dmg.gannett.com

302-537-1881, ext. 207

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