Show All Answers

1. What is CodeRED and what is it used for?

CodeRED is a web-based critical communication solution that enables local public safety personnel to notify residents and businesses by telephone, text message, email, and social media of time-sensitive information, emergencies, or urgent notifications. The system can reach hundreds of thousands of individuals in minutes to ensure information such as evacuation notices, missing persons, inclement weather advisories, and more are quickly shared. Only authorized officials have access to send alerts using the CodeRED system.

2. When will CodeRED be used?

Any message regarding the safety of our residents and community will be disseminated using CodeRED. We will send out alerts via phone, text, email, and social media in a variety of situations including boil water notices, gas leaks, evacuation notices, police activity, fire emergencies, missing persons, and more. This is a community alert system to ensure you remain informed of important information. Please keep in mind that as you register to receive CodeRED alerts, you have the ability to select the types of messages you wish to receive and your preferred means of communication.

3. How do I know if my phone number is included in the CodeRED service?

All listed and unlisted residential and business phone numbers are included in the CodeRED service.  Residents are encouraged to go to the community enrollment page to sign up additional numbers such as cell phones.  If you do not have access to the internet at home, please consider using a computer at your local library, or ask a friend or family member for assistance. Online registration is the most efficient, accurate and private way to supply your information.

4. Is there a cost to register for CodeRED?

No, registering for CodeRED phone calls, text messages, and email are free. Simply sign up on our Community Enrollment page link from our website and select your preferred means of communication.

5. How will I know when CodeRED is calling?

A CodeRED message will have the caller ID # 866-419-5000 for emergencies and caller ID # 855-969-4636 for non-emergencies. We suggest that you program these numbers into your cell phone

as a “new contact” and use “CodeRED” as the contact name. If you need to replay the message received, you can dial this number and listen to the message again in its entirety.

6. Why is CodeRED important to me?

CodeRED is an important tool to help keep you informed and prepared for any emergencies that may occur in our area. Officials will send messages to alert you of emergency details, instructions, or precautions that you need in order to make well-informed decisions and remain safe. This system is precise enough to geotarget residents within an exact area of impact so that only those people

who are affected by emergency situation are notified.

7. What if I miss a CodeRED phone call?

The CodeRED system will leave a message on your answering machine or voicemail if you miss a CodeRED phone call. If you do not have an answering machine, the system will consider the call as “incomplete” and will attempt to call again after several minutes have passed.  If your phone line is busy, CodeRED will try two more times to connect. At any point, you may re-dial the 800 number on your caller ID to hear a replay of the message that was sent.

8. Can I opt out of CodeRED?

If you have moved away from Shrewsbury, or no longer wish to receive emergency communications, please notify the Town and you can be placed on our "Do Not Contact" list. 

9. If CodeRED already has my telephone number, should I register anyway?

Residents are highly encouraged to register with the system.  The Community Enrollment link allows you to customize your contact information, and specify how you want messages delivered.  Please look for the Community Enrollment page link on our homepage to set up your CodeRED profile.  

10. I have a cordless phone and it will not work when the power goes out. How will I be contacted?

Make sure to have at least one working corded telephone on hand for these situations. However, when signing up for CodeRED, you may indicate both a primary and alternate phone number. Cell phones and/or work phone numbers can be entered as alternatives. Both your primary and your alternative phone numbers will be contacted in the event of a CodeRED notification.

11. What is the CodeRED Mobile Alert app?

In addition to the normal contact channels, CodeRED also offers a mobile app, available for both Android and iPhone devices. All residents and business owners are encouraged to download this free app to receive alerts based on the geo-location of your phone. As you travel throughout other CodeRED communities, you can receive important alerts that include community,

emergency, and severe weather information in those locations, as well as our own community. To download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app, visit the Google Play or the Apple App Store.