Headline Surfer® graphic / For unforseen emergencies, the town of Ponce Inlet has turned to 'Code Red' to alert citizens and merchants as shown in this snapshot.
PONCE INLET -- The municipality in April instituted a rapid emergency notification service called "CodeRED," which distributes emergency messages via telephone to targeted areas or the entire town at a rate of 1,000 calls per minute, according to a press release on Ponce Inlet's website.
The town's new system for mass alerts comes in at No. 93 in the Headline Surfer® countdown of the Top 100 Stories of 2013.
"CodeRED employs a one-of-a-kind Internet mapping capability for geographic targeting of calls, coupled with a high speed telephone calling system capable of delivering customized pre-recorded emergency messages directly to homes and businesses, live individuals and answering machines," the release said. "By registering, you’ll be added to the emergency call list."
This service can be used in case of fires, chemical spills, evacuations, lock downs, downed power lines, lost individuals, natural disasters, abductions, water system problems, bomb threats or other emergencies.
The release goes on to say, "Calls can be geographically targeted for localized messaging. If widespread, the entire community could be called within 20 to 30 minutes."
Counting 'em down: Headline Surfer® Ranking of the Top 100 Stories of 2013
RECAP:
93. Ponce Inlet turns to 'CodeRed' for mass alerts
94. DeLand man, 60, sentenced to life in prison for sexually battering 11-year-old boy
95. Volusia County GOP leader Tony Ledbetter named to key Florida Republican post
96. New Smyrna cop shop has first father-son on force.jpg){kind=small}
97. Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis waves green flag to start 2013 Daytona 500
98. Governor pays respects to 82-year-old Congressman in Orlando
99. New Smyrna Beach cops: Kind donation made for daughter of hit and run victim
100. VCSO: $9,000 worth of cigarettes stolen from DeBary convenience store in September