What It Means When Code Red Comes Calling

By Nancy K. Crevier

Code Red is the townwide emergency warning system that calls registered telephones and provides a recorded message about the emergency situation, as well as conveying where shelter and assistance can be found locally. Most recently, the system was activated when the January 7 ice storm disrupted power to sections of Newtown and Sandy Hook, leaving residents in the cold and dark. Code Red notified the 9,224 registered households that the Newtown Middle School cafeteria had been opened for those needing a safe and warm shelter.

Despite the fact that Code Red has been utilized in other situations that warranted the swift spread of information, Newtown Director of Communications Maureen Will said that the town received several phone calls from residents unsure of what the phone call meant.

“Code Red is telling you that there are places available for you,” explained Ms Will. “When you hear our voices on the recording, we’re telling you information you need to know,” she said, adding that the system is used judiciously. Because the phone number may appear on caller ID as an 800 or 888 number, it is important that those calls not be ignored, she added. “It could easily be a Code Red notification,” said Ms Will.

Ms Will, Fire Marshal and Emergency Services Director Bill Halstead, and Newtown Health Department Director Donna Culbert gathered Tuesday morning, January 20, to clarify questions concerning the Code Red program.

The greatest number of phone calls received January 7, said Ms Will, centered on what people could expect if they opted to use the NMS shelter, and how the housebound or those without a vehicle could get to the school.

“NMS is the first shelter opened in an emergency. If more space is needed, we then would open the high school, then Reed Intermediate School. The firehouses are also designated shelters. But a shelter is definitely not a hotel,” cautioned Ms Culbert. “If you can shelter in place and are safe, it’s your best bet to stay at home. The shelter provides safety and warmth, but it is a public facility and people should not expect privacy.”

Ms Culbert and Chief Halstead emphasized that the shelters are safe havens when a home is inaccessible or becomes unsafe due to emergency circumstances.

“The shelter is a secure location with lights and water. There is access to the cafeteria space, showers, and the bathrooms. Right now we have 150 cots, blankets, and pillows to accommodate people, and 2,000 prepackaged meals, as well as basic medical care supplies. It will be opened and staffed by the school custodial staff who are familiar with the space,” said Chief Halstead.

Depending on the number of residents who seek shelter, a member of the Newtown Police Department may be assigned to the shelter, and while the Newtown emergency medical teams are on standby, if the shelter became crowded, an EMT would be place on site, as well. “It all depends on the size of the emergency,” said Chief Halstead, who noted that to date there has never been more than half a dozen residents who have stayed in the shelter for any length of time.

“Many people, such as when the tornado touched down a couple of springs ago, just used the shelter for showers and bathrooms. That’s okay. People do not have to stay overnight if their homes are safe,” he said. “What we want to stress is that the shelter is a safe environment for everyone,” said Chief Halstead.

If people desire, they can bring additional blankets and pillowcases, small games, radios or iPods with earphones, and a book, as well as any medications taken regularly. It is also advisable, especially when the emergency requires a swift evacuation of the home, to always have a list of medications written down and conveniently located to bring with to the shelter. Firearms, weapons, and any additional furniture are not allowed in the shelter.

People who are unable to get themselves to the shelter should not hesitate to ask the town for help, urged Ms Will. “Arrangements can be made to get the housebound to the shelter if they want to be there,” she said. “We’ll get them there, whatever it takes.”

She also encouraged residents to make sure that mailboxes, driveway entrances, and homes are clearly marked with reflective numbers to aid emergency responders in locating the address.

The Code Red communication also raised questions about pets, said Ms Will. Presently, pets are not allowed at the shelter. “We know this is a big pet community, though,” said Ms Will, and to that end the town is working with the State Animal Response Team (SART) to set up a pet shelter on NMS property, separate from the space where people are housed.

“If a situation occurred when a residence was inaccessible for a long period of time, a pet shelter would be a good thing to have,” said Chief Halstead. Small pets would need to be in pet carriers, and proof of current vaccinations would be needed to bring a pet into the public shelter, he said.

“We will be meeting with Gino Faiella, the buildings and grounds keeper, on how we could set up for pets,” said Ms Culbert, “and hopefully get set up with a stockpile of supplies for a pet shelter, once we hear from SART the best way to do so.” In the meantime, if pet owners must seek shelter away from home for overnight or even a day, enough food and water and a safe space in the home should be provided for pets until the owner can attend to them again.

On January 7, more than 7,000 of the Newtown households registered with Code Red received notification. The system is set up to make three attempts per registered number. Ms Culbert emphasized the importance of having current and accurate phone information registered with the town. “You may also enter your cellphone number as a second/alternate contact number,” said Ms Culbert. A telephone that does not require electricity in order to receive the Code Red notification is also essential, she said, “like the good old-fashioned Princess phone that plugs directly into the phone jack,” she said. If services are bundled with an alternative service provider, and not the telephone company, telephone service may not be available during a power outage, she cautioned.

To register for Code Red notification or to update Code Red information, go to the town website at newtown-ct.gov and click on the Code Red icon in the lower left hand of the home page; or call the fire marshal at 270-4370 or the communications director at 270-4222.

The best thing is to be prepared, said the three emergency coordinators, and to not be afraid when Code Red is activated. “We only use it to give you necessary information,” reiterated Ms Will.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit ready.gov, redcross.org, or pandemicflu.gov.