Des Plaines to implement new emergency notification system

Des Plaines will implement the CodeRED emergency notification system beginning March 1, officials said.

The system will allow city officials to send alerts to residents and other city personnel by phone, text message and email. Officials say they anticipate using the system to notify residents in specific geographic locations about floods, missing children notices, police activity and other emergencies.

The city has an initial database of residential and business telephone numbers, though officials encourage all residents to visit desplaines.org and click on the CodeRED Community Notification System button to enroll additional contact information including cellphone numbers, text and email addresses.

The city is contracting with Ormond Beach, Fla.-based Emergency Communications Network for the service.