Camp Hill to set up emergency system

Sunday, March 12, 2006

BY ELLEN LYON

Of The Patriot-News

Camp Hill will soon launch a Code Red Emergency Notification System to alert residents and business owners of major problems.

The Borough Council unanimously agreed Wednesday to form a committee of borough, police and fire department officials to work out the details.

Under the system, officials would be able to send out a recorded phone message to all residential and business locations in the borough six minutes after the emergency, Camp Hill Police Chief Gregory "Jan" Ammons said.

The Dec. 10 fluoride leak that contaminated the water supply in the borough and other West Shore areas is an example of the need for such a system, borough officials said.

Councilman Rick McBride said that, to his knowledge, Susquehanna Twp. is the only other community in the Harrisburg area using this emergency notification system. "This is the cutting edge of technology and it provides a great sense of security to our borough," he said.

McBride stressed that it would be used only for emergencies.

The first year of a two-year contract for the system would cost $10,000, which Cedar Shopping Centers Inc., owner of the Camp Hill Shopping Center, has agreed to pay, Ammons said. The second year will cost $5,000.

ELLEN LYON: 975-9783 or elyon@patriot-news.com