911 reverse calling, emergencies

RBC I Rio Blanco County contracted with the Emergency Communications Network to license its CodeRED high-speed notification system. The CodeRED system provides Meeker and Rangely officials with the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire county.
John Hutchins, the Rio Blanco County emergency coordinator, cautioned that such systems are only as good as the telephone number database supporting them.
“If your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called, whether it be a land line or cell phone.”
One of the reasons the CodeRED system was selected is it gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own phone numbers directly into the system’s database, an extremely important feature, he said.
“No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included,” Hutchins said, urging all individuals and businesses to log onto the county website, www.co.rio-blanco.co.us, go to the sheriff’s page and follow the link to the “CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment” page. Those without Internet access may call the Rio Blanco Communications Center at 970-878-9620 to supply their information over the phone. Required information includes first and last name, street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code and primary phone number. Additional phone numbers can be entered as well.
All businesses should register as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, those who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number.
Hutchins explained, “CodeRED allows geographically based delivery, which means street addresses are required to ensure emergency notification calls are received by the proper individuals in a given situation. The system works for cell phones too, but we need to have an associated street address to provide relevant messages.”
Hutchins stated, “CodeRED gives those who want to be included an easy and secure method for inputting information. The data collected will only be used for emergency notification purposes.”
Questions should be directed to the Rio Blanco Communications Center at 970-878-9620.