26 April, 2012
The Town of Hopkinton, MA 26 April 2012, through a contract with Emergency Communications Network, LLC, will begin providing public safety alerts through the company’s new public safety app – CodeRED Mobile Alert.
The app, which is a free download for iPhone and Android subscribers, will allow Hopkinton residents, as well as those traveling through the area, to receive community and emergency alerts via notifications to their smartphones. Fire Chief / EMD Ken Clark said the new platform will serve as one additional tool to help inform the community and visitors about important information that may impact their safety.
"The app works similarly to our current CodeRED system. If you have the app downloaded and are in the affected area of the alert, a notification will be sent through the app to alert you of the issue,” Chief Clark said.
Residents who have enrolled for the CodeRED System will continue to receive voice calls, text messages and emails. However, the app is designed to keep users safe and informed while on the go.
“The app is unique because, for example, if we have a Hopkinton resident who is traveling to another state that also uses the CodeRED system; they will receive any community or emergency alerts from that specific area as well. It’s just one extra way to stay safe when you’re away from home,” Chief Clark said.
This additional outlet for the Town of Hopkinton to communicate time-sensitive messages to residents and visitors is at no additional cost to the current contract with Emergency Communications Network.
The app also provides subscribers a free, 30-day trial of CodeRED Weather Warning, which alerts users if they are in the direct path of a severe thunderstorm, tornado or flash flood. Users have the ability to select the types of weather notifications they want to receive, to customize the app based on their unique preferences.
“With the weather component, you don’t have to be worried about missing or hearing a severe weather warning or watching a weather report. The app will alert you immediately after the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning, no matter the time of day,” said Clark.
Residents with iPhones and Android smartphones are encouraged to download the app to begin receiving notifications from The Town of Hopkinton. The app is available for a free download on the iTunes store and Google Play. For more information or to download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app, Click Here.
