Atlas Twp.- Currently one tornado siren along Hegel Road west of Goodrich and east of the high school serves the township.
And while the board of trustees recently moved forward with plans for an additional siren’a supplemental system is now available for Genesee County residents.
David Ackley, deputy director of the 9-1-1 Consortium said a Homeland Security Grant of $50,000 last year to start the Genesee County CodeRED program. The 9-1-1 Communications Center dispatches for 30 police agencies, 18 fire departments and nine emergency medical ambulance services with units spaced throughout Genesee County
In the event of a weather event such as tornado, severe thunderstorm or winter storm, a message can be sent via text, email or phone call.
In addition, emergency information such as Amber alerts, missing persons or chemical spills can also be sent out. The system is activated by smart phone owners through
geneseecounty911.org.
‘The system personalizes your account when your home and work address are entered in the system,? he said. ‘If you work in Genesee County, but live in another county, the system lets you know emergencies at home when you’re away. If there are children at home you can let them know to take cover or lock the door or what ever is necessary.?
CodeRED means added security for the citizens of Genesee County, he said. In the event of emergency, it provides a fast and secure way to inform residents of the incident and how to react in order to maintain the best possible security and safety, he added.
‘Granted, CodeRED will not take the place of emergency sirens,? he said
‘For example, the elderly and small children may not have access to cell phones to receive the alerts. It’s our goal to reach as many people as we can. But it’s one more step in getting vital information out to county residents.?
Atlas Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones supports the project.
‘Think how many people have cell phones out there,? said Kautman-Jones. ‘The CodeRED is a great addition to the emergency services available.?
Kautman-Jones said a new township emergency siren is set to be installed at Ridge and Lake Shore Drive. Funds in part for the siren came from the Genesee County Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
‘The sirens are designed to be heard if residents are outside their home during an emergency. The CodeRED will add to that as another layer of protection for residents.?