Hopkinton contracts with new Reverse-911 Service

The Town of Hopkinton has contracted with Emergency Communications Network to license its CodeRED high-speed notification solution. The CodeRED system provides Hopkinton officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire town.

Fire Chief Ken Clark, Hopkinton’s Emergency Management Director, 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." 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; this is an extremely important feature.

“No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included,” Chief Clark said urging all individuals and businesses to log onto the towns website, www.Hopkinton.org, and follow the link to the "CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment" page. Those without Internet access may call the Hopkinton Fire Department at (508)-435-0555 or fax your information to (508)435-0554, Monday through Friday, (8AM – 3:30PM) 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.

Chief Clark 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."

Chief Clark 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 Chief Clark at 508-497-2325.

Although the voice messages provided through the system are a fast and effective way to provide notice. We encourage you to also complete the e-mail option to provide additional notification.

About Emergency Communications Network; Emergency Communications Network Inc. (ECN) provides affordable high-speed notification solutions capable of reaching millions of citizens in minutes. ECN’s sophisticated network supports a web-based product suite featuring CodeRED^® which enables local government officials to communicate time-sensitive, personalized messages via voice, email and text