Have you signed up for Kettering's Code Red Emergency Alert System

Kettering, Ohio - It is almost winter and that means the roads may be nasty and the weather may close schools because of hazardous conditions. So you might be wondering how to quickly find out about these and similar emergency situations in Kettering.

The City of Kettering will post all emergency information and critical community alerts via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CityofKetteringOhio/, and via Twitter at https://twitter.com/Kettering_OH.  But if you don't want to actively search for notices daily, Kettering also offers an automatic alert system called "Code Red".

Code Red is available to Kettering residents and to anyone who works in the City. You can sign-up to receive Kettering "Code Red" notifications via home phone, cell phone, email, or text. Kettering says that because some notifications are emergencies, residents should expect the potential to receive notifications at any time during the day, including in the middle of the night.

There are several ways you can sign-up for "Code Red". First, you can text the word KETTERING to 99411. After sending the text, you will receive a return text with a link that will take you to the "Code Red" registration site. You can also go directly to https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFAE785029FE to sign-up. Or those who don't have internet access can call 937-296-2400 to obtain assistance in signing up.

Once at the "Code Red" site, you can begin the sign-up process by using your Google account, your Facebook account, or your Twitter account. Or if you prefer, you can create an account with a self-selected Username and Password. The system will even allow you to enroll as a guest, but guests do not appear to have as much control over their notifications.

Once logged in to "Code Red" you will be asked for your basic information including your name, your address, whether the address is residential or business. If you select that your address is residential, there will be a drop-down menu that will ask if it is your home, a second home, or other. If you say that your address is a business, you will get a drop-down menu asking you to pick either work 1 or work 2. The "Code Red" website might pre-populate this information if you logged in using your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account.

When you enter your phone number, if you check that you want to receive text message alerts, you will also be asked to select which mobile provider you use. If you are deaf, you can also check that you want to receive messages via TDD/TTY device. 

You can also choose to receive messages via email by entering your email address.

Finally, for each messaging option you selected, you will be asked to decide if you want to receive only emergency notifications or if you would also like to receive general notifications.

Once all of your information is entered, you will be asked to decide if you want your information kept private. Then you will be asked to check that you have read, understand, and agree to the Kettering "Code Red" terms and conditions.

If after signing up, you later decide that you no longer wish to receive notifications, you can opt out of the system at any time. To opt-out of Text messages simply reply to any message you receive with the word STOP. You can also opt-out of "Code Red" notifications by going to https://info.onsolve.com/Notification-Opt-Out.html and filling out the opt-out form.

"Code Red" says that users can recognize Code Red via caller id.  The system will display 866-419-5000 or "Emergency Alert" for emergency notifications, and 855-969-4636 or "Community Alert" for general notifications. If you are receiving notifications via your mobile phone, Kettering "Code Red" suggests adding the above information to your contact lists.

You can also download the CodeRED app to receive alerts directly through the app. Kettering "Code Red" says that the app is "geo-aware" so you will only receive alerts for the location that you are at.

If you have children going to Kettering schools, work at one of the district's schools, or do business with the School District, you might also want to be aware of when school will be delayed or closed because of weather or other circumstances. The district says that they provide notifications at their website www.ketteringschools.org, via location television stations, or the Education Connection. The Education Connection is the Kettering School Districts automated notification system. The system can be accessed by calling 937-643-4444. Once connected press 4 and then 3 to receive closing and delay notifications.

Ketterings schools say that if schools are closed, all child care programs in the district's buildings will also be closed. But if school is only delayed, child care programs in district buildings will operate their normal hours. In addition, if school is delayed, the district says that there will be no A.M. Kindergarten or "Kids Club". classes.

Using these notification systems can save you time and help keep your family safe during winter's inclement weather or during other emergencies.