Essex urges residents to sign up for CodeRED system

Voters approved spending up to $5,000 on a mass notification system to notify residents of emergency situations or important municipal announcements via mass phone calls, texts, and e-mails.

People who want e-mails and/or alternate numbers just as mobile phone numbers entered into the system can provide the system with their information by clicking on the CodeRED opt-in graphic located on the town's online homepage at www.essexma.org.

CodeRED, based in Ormond Beach, Fla., allows emergency officials to send recorded messages to all homes and businesses, or just a targeted area, within seconds. The messages inform residents of the situation and, if need be, provide instructions for action.

According to CodeRED, "all businesses should register, as so then as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone as their primary number."

The high volume

The high volume and high speed communication service employs a unparalleled geographical-based system capable of dialing 60,000 phone numbers per hour. It can deliver the pre-recorded message to a live person or an answering machine.