Code Red Aids Residents In Saturday Gas Leak
By: Lindsey Wopschall
Updated: February 25, 2013
Using the code red system city officials were able to relay information to hundreds of people in the matter of minutes.
More than 200 homes were affected during the natural gas leak and using the system city officials mapped out the homes impacted and made about 400 phone calls warning residents.
"We want to try to communicate with the public to tell them what's happening out there."
Wichita Falls city officials say the Code Red system keeps everyone informed.
The city first got the system in 2007 and purchased the 911 phone number database, but now city leaders are working to expand the system's reach.
"We know that lots of people aren't even using landline's anymore, I know we are seeing people use a lot less landline's and people going straight cell phones," John Henderson, Wichita Falls Emergency Preparedness Coordinator said.
Tim McMath didn't know he needed to leave his home during Saturday's natural gas leak until, "The fire truck came down the street and we found out we needed to leave," he said.
It prompted him to register for the Code Red system.
And it's those alert messages that brought him good news hours later.
"The text alert said hey you can finally go home so we were really pleased the way the system worked," he said.
If you would like to register click https://cne.coderedweb.com/Default.aspx?groupid=ubPsDFmn7ESoCv1FbwGT5w%3d%3d
