SECONDS COUNT IN AN EMERGENCY!
The City of Midlothian has instituted the CodeRED Emergency Notification System - an ultra high-speed telephone communication service for emergency notifications. This system allows us to telephone all or targeted areas of the City in case of an emergency situation that requires immediate action (such as a boil-water notice, missing child or evacuation notices). The system is capable of dialing 60,000 phone numbers per hour. It then delivers a pre-recorded message describing the situations to a live person or an answering machine in the affected area possibly including instructions requiring action on the part of the recipient. Once the situation is remedied, another call will be placed to the area signaling that the issue has been addressed and that normal activities can be resumed.

ARE YOU IN THE DATABASE?
CodeRED is a geographical based system where street addresses are needed to select the telephone numbers that will receive emergency notification calls.  Public databases have been used to collect telephone numbers for existing Midlothian home and businesses and have been placed into the CodeRED database. However, sometimes the public databases contain outdated information, thus no one should automatically assume his or her telephone number is included. All individuals and businesses should register, especially if you have an unlisted phone number, have changed your phone number or address within the last year, or you use a cellular phone as your home phone.

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 Midlothian 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 Internet update 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 City’s public libraries to use a computer or call the City of Midlothian Office of Emergency Management at 972-775-7142 to give their information over the phone.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is CodeRED?
The CodeRED Emergency Notification System is a new, fast communication service allowing the City of Midlothian to notify citizens of an emergency situation.  It enables the City to provide mass notification quickly and easily. This service is free to Midlothian residents and businesses.
 
How will I benefit from this service?
This high-speed telephone system will allow the City to 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 calls, you will need to register your home or business phone number in the CodeRED database, especially if you have an unlisted phone number, have changed your phone number or address within the last year, or you use a cellular phone as your home phone. 

How does it work?
CodeRED delivers the important message through a high-speed telephone calling system to a phone number on the CodeRED database.  City 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 and 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 does a CodeRED message sound like?
The message will always begin with the statement “This is a message from the City of Midlothian (department name addressing the situation).”  The remaining text will provide information about the situation including how and if people need to respond.  You may be directed to turn to a local radio or television station for updates and additional information.  Here’s a sample of what you might hear:

Chemical Spill – Shelter in Place
This is a message from the City of Midlothian Fire Department.  Due to a hazardous material release in your immediate area, all citizens are requested to shelter in their homes, turn off all heating, air conditioning and ventilation, close windows and doors and tape any gaps that will allow air inside.  Shelter within the inner most part of the house.  Bring all pets inside.  Please do not call 9-1-1.  Once the situation is resolved, you will be notified via the telephone. Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Chemical Spill – All Clear
This is a message from the City of Midlothian Fire Department.  The hazardous materials release has been taken care of and it is now safe to resume normal activities.  No necessary action need be taken.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 

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.  Or, maybe your phone number and address don’t match up, or are not even in the system.  In that case CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and follow the instructions.
  
Will the system work with cell phones?
Yes.  But, your cell phone number needs to be associated with your Midlothian address (this notification only applies to incidents occurring in Midlothian).  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.