Westport, CT: Code Red Emergency Notification System in Action

It was just a year ago that Westport First Selectman, Gordon Joseloff, announced that the Town of Westport had contracted with Emergency Communications Network, Inc. for its Code Red emergency notification system.  The system sends out emergency notifications based on geographic locations.  Home addresses are used to select which phones receive alerts. 

Although the town maintains a database of residential and business numbers, Westport residents were encouraged to register their home phones.  They could also register their cell phone numbers, if they wanted mobile notification. 

At the time, my husband registered our phones and I never gave the system another thought.  So, I was quite surprised, Friday afternoon, when my cell phone displayed a call from "Westport Code Red."  It was even more startling when the call started out "a missing person alert.."  Who was missing?  Why was I getting the call? 

The message continued...a 74 year old woman, suffering from dementia, wandered away from her home. Some details were provided of her description and where she was last scene.  

Shortly after relatives notified the police, the town wide Code Red alert was issued.  A resident who received the call noticed someone matching the woman's description, walking along the road.  The police found her, a few minutes later, and brought her home. 

A second message was issued, announcing the prompt and positive results. 

The system was also effectively used a week ago, when shoreline residents were warned of possible flooding and urged to move their vehicles.  The warning helped avert potential damage to their cars.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved... Westport, CT: Code Red Emergency Notification System in Action