The Lafayette County Public Safety Department’s ability to quickly inform the public of emergencies – during or before one occurs – became a little easier with the addition of a new method of communication.

Donnie Land, Lafayette County Public Safety Director, is excited about the “Code Red” system, which is far more efficient than going door-to-door in affected areas.

“The CodeRED system gives county officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification/information messages to targeted areas or the entire county at a rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour,” Land said.

The communication system was created by ECN, based in Ormond Beach. According to ECN, the program has been very successful throughout the state of Florida, saving both lives and time during emergencies such as fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, escaped prisoners, bomb threats, utility outrages and searching for and rescuing missing children.

Land encourages everyone in the county to add their name to the list. The database is secure and is only used for notifying residents and businesses about any emergency that arises. All that is required to be added to the list is your name, street address and telephone number, according to Land. Post office box addresses are not permitted, however – the system requires a physical address.

“All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, those who have changed their phone number or address within the last year, and those who use a cellular phone as their primary home phone,” Land said.

To register, residents and businesses can go to www.lafayettecountyflorida.org and click on the link to the “CodeRED Residential and Business Data Collection” section. Anyone who does not have Internet access can contact the Lafayette County Emergency Management Office at 386-294-4178, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Although there is no time limit for applying, Lafayette County Emergency Management is hoping everyone will quickly join the list before another emergency arises such as the recent fires in Mallory Swamp or the severe weather that produced tornadoes, dangerous winds and heavy rain.

Flyers were sent in the mail to every Lafayette County resident informing them of the new emergency notification system. For additional information, contact Land at 386-294-1950.