CodeRED Alert System Coming Soon to Nashua

CodeRED is coming to Nashua, an automated high-speed notification system designed to keep residents and businesses informed of critical information, delivered right to your landline, cell phone or email address.

The city has launched a registration page (www.nashuanh.gov/codered)  where you can register your email address. Once the system is up and running, those who've registered will receive instructions on how to proceed.

"We've been investigating the purchase of a citywide notification system over the past year, and a few months ago decided to utilize CodeRED," said Justin Kates, the city's Director of Emergency Management.

The CodeRED system seemed most comprehensive, and provides city officials with the ability to quickly deliver notifications to targeted areas, or the entire city. 

Of course, notification systems are only as good as the telephone number database supporting them, Kates said, which is where the registration process comes into play.

The CodeRED system will allow individuals and businesses to add their own phone numbers, including both landlines and cell phones, e-mail and text information directly into the system's database, pinpoint the exact location of their residential or business address and launch a test call during the enrollment process. 

Users may also select how they prefer to receive notifications between the various types of devices. 

Initially, the system will be used for emergency only, but eventually registered users will be able to opt-in to non-emergency community messaging, such as transit schedule changes, road construction, and delays in trash pick-up, Kates said.

"We've learned in the past couple of events iIve been involved in over the past two years here that there are sometimes messages we want people to know about, and we have no way other than social media or TV to do that – while some media outlets are more progressive at updating information more often, this will allow us to have direct communication with every resident of Nashua, should such a need arise," Kates said. "With CodeRED we can send out whatever info we feel is critical; it's valuable in our eyes."

Kates said any phone and email data collected will be handled securely and only be used for official notification purposes.

To link directly to the city's CodeRED information page, go to: www.nashuanh.gov/codered.

Questions should be directed to the Nashua Office of Emergency Management, katesj@nashuanh.gov or 603-589-3272.