CodeRED Testing Completed
By Jess Davis, The Brunswick News, Ga.
Aug. 1–More than 33,000 Glynn County residents were called Thursday afternoon in a first-of-its-kind test of the county’s emergency notification system.
They received an automated phone message lasting about 15 seconds that told them it was a test of the system and that in the event of a real emergency, more details would follow.
It took 47 minutes to complete the test, which tried 33,009 phone numbers more than 74,000 times — up to three times per number.
The numbers are compiled by the company CodeRED. A preliminary report showed that the service was able to reach more than half the numbers listed, either through someone picking up the phone or leaving a message, county officials said. A full report will be available to the county Friday.
People with unlisted numbers or who want to get notifications on their cell phones can opt-in to the service using the county’s Web site, said Candice Temple said. Only local numbers can be called.
“We are in the midst of hurricane season and this will be valuable practice for everyone involved,” said Charley Stewart, county administrator.
In a real weather emergency, residents would get additional information from the National Weather Service and Georgia’s Emergency Management Authority.
Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering said the test would provide valuable information on which numbers are valid, and that testing is a good way to ensure the system can be used in a real emergency.
A contract for the system, with the company CodeRED, includes an allocated number of minutes per year.
The minutes would have expired Thursday if the county didn’t test the system.
The $10,000 contract has been renewed, Temple said.
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