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1. Who provides the CodeRED service? Is the company reputable?

Emergency Communications Network of Ormond Beach, Florida provides the service to the Town of Lexington.

They have been in business since 1996; the company provides CodeRED® service to hundreds of municipal governments across the country. The Town of Lexington selected CodeRED® after researching and reviewing similar products and services.

2. What if I move and need to stop receiving CodeRED notices?

To stop receiving some or all of the CodeRED messages, use our Opt-Out form. To change your email address or phone number, go the CodeRED webpage.

3. Who can help me to enter additional contact information into CodeRED?

The instructions are fairly simple, but not everyone has had experience with computers. We encourage residents to help friends, family and neighbors get connected. Cary Memorial Library has computers with access to the internet and the Community Center can assist their patrons. Contact the Town Manager's Office at 781-698-4540 if you need assistance.

4. Should I password protect my CodeRED phone information?

This option is available but is not necessary. If you use a password, this allows you to change or delete the information that you entered. Only two phone numbers can be attached to one password. If you have more than two phone numbers, you will need to provide a password for each set of two.

5. What if someone uses my address, and does not live with me?

This may happen, but will have no effect on how you receive emergency messages. CodeRED is a phone number based system - if your phone number (text or email) is included in the system, you will be called.

The address is important because it allows emergency phone calls to target specific neighborhoods. For example, with a major storm, all phones regardless of their address will be called. However, if a water break requires one neighborhood to take water safety precautions, only those addresses affected can be called.

6. How can I be sure that my personal information and contact information in the CodeRED system are kept private?

The CodeRED website is secure. All data entered into the database is used exclusively by the Town of Lexington. The information will not be shared. All data entered onto the website will be inspected once by a Lexington public safety official to ensure that the information is Lexington-based. As a general rule, any phone number attached to a non-Lexington address or an invalid Lexington address will not be accepted. When the information is approved, it is then sent to the database.

The security of this information is critical to the success of an emergency notification system. There is no feature within the system that allows a list of phone numbers to be printed. The use of all data in this system is controlled by federal regulations and by contract with the vendor.

7. Can I choose not to receive CodeRED messages?

You may opt out of receiving non-emergency public service messages. At this time, the website does not allow opting out of emergency messages.

FCC regulations prohibit sending non-emergency messages to unpublished and unlisted numbers. If you have an unpublished number and want non-emergency public service messages, please add your phone number to the database and opt-in for these notifications. An example of a non-emergency notification might include notice that trash pick-up is delayed by one day.

Individuals who do not want to receive any calls, for any reason, may contact the Police Department to sign a waiver and have their phone number removed from the call list.

8. Can I arrange to have CodeRED call my place of business?

Yes. You can add as many numbers as you want simply by visiting the CodeRED website and entering new information. Use your Lexington address when adding the telephone number for your business or workplace. Please provide a direct dial number as automated attendants may delay your receipt of a message. Parents who work out of Town may want to receive emergency messages, particularly as they may affect local schools.

9. How do I sign up for CodeRED?

All published numbers should already be included within the CodeRED database. Unpublished and unlisted numbers are added to the database through our interface with the Enhanced 911 system.

One of the best CodeRED features allows residents and/or businesses in Lexington to add numbers. Simply visit the CodeRED website. Don't worry about adding duplicate numbers; the database is "cleaned" so that phone numbers are only called once. If you use this feature, you can make sure that your numbers will be called.

10. Do I have to pay a fee for the CodeRED emergency communications service?

There is no additional fee for residents. The Town of Lexington’s emergency management fund pays for this service.

11. How will I receive emergency notifications if the power goes out?

We strongly encourage all residents to maintain in their home one hard-wired phone. In power outages and other major emergencies, cell phone systems have a higher likelihood of failure. Although many families feel the 'old phone' is an unnecessary expense, these phones often work when all else is lost.

CodeRED allows you to enter many phone numbers and email addresses to broaden the opportunities to be notified. Unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed and the severity of the emergency will impact any emergency notification system.

12. Why do I need CodeRED when I have radio and television to keep me informed?

CodeRED is an additional measure of safety the Town of Lexington believes all Lexington residents and businesses deserve. If electric power were to be interrupted, you may not be able to rely on radio and television to keep you informed. Emergencies also develop quickly and the news media may not have the information to broadcast. CodeRED allows the Town of Lexington to contact you directly.

13. Will I constantly receive phone calls from the CodeRED system?

No. The Town of Lexington respects your privacy. CodeRED will be used for emergency situations and important community notifications only. Residents have the opportunity to opt out of community notifications (non-emergency events).

14. What is CodeRED and why is it important to me?

CodeRED is a service provided by the Town of Lexington by which residents and businesses are notified by telephone, text, or email regarding emergencies or important community notifications. The system is capable of sending messages to the entire community or to specific geographical areas that might be affected by an emergency or other important event.