Fargo, ND (January 25, 2010)—In an effort to test the CodeRED system and encourage Cass County residents to sign up for CodeRED, Cass County Emergency Management will conduct a CodeRED phone call drill on Tuesday, February 2nd.

Cass County Emergency Manager Dave Rogness says that now is a good time for people to sign up, or update their current information to make sure they receive CodeRED messages, “The current list is extensive, but may not include personal cell numbers or work numbers. Over time, phone numbers change, people move or change jobs. We need to periodically validate our existing list and the drill is a convenient method to accomplish that.  Residents who do not use residential phone service or want to include alternate numbers need to add them to the system themselves”.

Local governments used the CodeRED system during the 2009 flood. The system has not experienced a single failure when used in Cass County. Rogness says it provides the county an effective means of notifying residents of detailed information in a timely manner and is one of many methods, including sirens, the media, and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to notify residents of possible emergencies.

Residents who do not have land lines and are not currently registered can sign up for Code Red by going to the Cass County Emergency Management website at www.cassfargoemergency.com. If residents are unable to signup online, they can call 701-476-4068 Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm. Those who are registering their cell phones will need to enter their name, address, cell phone number and cell phone service provider.