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LANCASTER - In a disaster, a public safety situation, or
when the public's help is needed in finding lost children or adults,
Lancaster residents will be notified by a new automatic telephone alert
system.
Already in use in Florida to alert people about hurricanes, the system is
making its California debut in Lancaster, where City Manager Bob LaSala - a
former Floridian - is trying to improve the city's disaster preparations.
"It could save lives," said Vice Mayor Henry Hearns. "It
can communicate with a whole city in a matter of minutes."
The automated phone system, called CodeRED, is capable of calling 1,000
residents in a minute.
On Friday, city officials will use the system for the first time to
introduce residents to the system. The city is paying an annual subscription
of $20,000 for the service.
Every message will begin: "This is your news flash from the city of
Lancaster's CodeRED Notification System."
The system is a service of Emergency Communications Network Inc. It was
developed in Florida in the wake of wildfires in that state in 1998.
In 2004, the system was used to make 7 million phone calls during
Florida's hurricane season. Last year, 5 million calls were made during
hurricane season, said Bob Poe, the company's president.
The system can be used to contact people in specific areas or contact
specific lists of people. Emergency personnel can log on to the system's Web
site, designate an area that needs to be notified, record the necessary alert
or warnings and have the system send the notifications in a few minutes.
Residents with unlisted numbers or who want notices to go to their cell
phones will be able to join
the system through the city Web site at www.cityoflancasterca.org.
Capt. Carl Deeley, commander of the Lancaster sheriff's station, said the
system could be used to alert residents in situations where deputies are
hunting a crime suspect in a neighborhood.
"With this system, within a couple of minutes you can tell people to
stay inside and report anything they might see or hear that is
suspicious," Deeley said.
The system could also alert residents about lost children or elderly
family members who have wandered off.
In situations involving missing children or adults, getting the message
out to the community is key, Deeley said.
"This is another tool in our toolbox for communicating with our
residents," LaSala said. "We will use it in a variety of ways to
keep them informed on what we are doing and the services available to
them."
City officials envision the system being used for nonemergency situations
as well, such as advising residents to register to vote or notifying
neighborhoods about public works projects that cause traffic delays.
Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743
james.skeen@dailynews.com
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