Are you ready? Washoe County urges residents to receive CodeRED alerts

With recent emergencies, now is the time to sign up for CodeRED

Reno, Nev. Oct. 16, 2017. With wildfires raging through northern California, and the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas this month, it is clear emergencies can strike in a moment. In an effort to help the community prepare, Washoe County Emergency Management urges residents to sign up to receive critical emergency notifications through the CodeRED system.

With landlines slowly becoming a communication tool of the past, Washoe County Emergency Manager, Aaron Kenneston, says it is critical that your mobile phone is registered to receive these emergency notifications.

“Many people do not realize they can receive CodeRED alerts on their mobile phone,” says Kenneston. “As we have seen in the tragic wildfires this week, while all responders did a wonderful job issuing evacuations, alerts and even going door-to-door, some people still did not know they needed to leave - we don’t want that to happen to anyone. The community needs to be able to receive information, and CodeRED signups are one part of that.”

Kenneston recommends the best way to stay safe during an emergency or disaster, is preparedness.

Washoe County Emergency Manager’s Top Tips:

• Make a plan with your family on how you could evacuate quickly.
• Assemble a kit with 72 hours of supplies and essential documents and keep this is an easily accessible location.
• Stay informed by signing up for regional alerts, like CodeRED, and determining a digital meeting space as an online communication point.

To sign up for CodeRED alerts, click here: https://www.washoecounty.us/em/RegionalAlerts.php

Washoe County utilizes the CodeRED alert system in combination with other alert efforts including press releases, social media updates and the Emergency Response System.

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