LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Following an extensive and thorough evaluation and review of alerting systems, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services has implemented the CodeRED system, a high-speed emergency notification service provided by Ormond Beach, FL-based Emergency Communications Network.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, through their CodeRED high-speed emergency notification system, will also be delivering messages through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, known as IPAWS, according to Undersheriff Chris Macedo.

Macedo said the added capability provides the Office of Emergency Services officials an effective way to alert and warn the public about potentially life-threatening emergencies through the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio and even issue notifications to other local alerting authorities all within the single CodeRED interface.

"By integrating these emergency alerting methods within the single CodeRED system, we’re able to streamline and make the process much more efficient in the way we notify residents of actual emergencies including imminent threats, saving time and redirecting valuable resources elsewhere that we need to protect our community in times of crisis,” said Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin. 

CodeRED notifications differ from alerts issued through IPAWS, Macedo said. According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, messages initiated through IPAWS are limited to geographic targeting at the county level only and have limited alert detail based on character limitations.

When using the CodeRED system, Macedo said Office of Emergency Services officials can drill down to only notify those within the impacted area, even to residents affected within certain neighborhoods, reducing false alarms.

Officials can include pertinent information in CodeRED messages, including any action required and other details that provide immediate benefit to the message recipient, Macedo said.

Those enrolled in CodeRED are encouraged to save the following telephone numbers in their phone’s contact books to make sure they can differentiate future warnings received: Emergency Communications, 866-419-5000, or General Notifications, 855-969-4636.

Residents who have not yet enrolled or who have recently changed their contact information are encouraged to visit Lake County Sheriff’s Office Web site at www.lakesheriff.com and add or update their information.

The added integration allows Office of Emergency Services officials to send staff notifications and geographically targeted notifications through CodeRED and IPAWS messages simultaneously, Macedo said.

In emergency situations, every second counts and a streamlined process is required to provide timely protective information to the public.

The IPAWS program stems from a United States policy that requires an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible and comprehensive system to alert and warn residents.

Residents who have enrolled for the CodeRED System will continue to receive voice calls, text messages and emails, Macedo said.

However, he said the added IPAWS integration will allow residents in Lake County to receive additional, simultaneous notifications through public signage including billboards, television, radio and their computer.  No additional registration is needed to receive alerts.

Those interested in learning more about the IPAWS program are encouraged to visit www.fema.gov/IPAWS .