Whitfield County is revamping its outdated emergency notification system to a more reliable program, officials said.
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted 4-0 to approve a contract with Code Red, an emergency communications company. Commission Chairman Mike Babb usually only votes to break ties.
Code Red replaces the current Reverse 911 system, which is "outdated and unsupported," deputy 911 director Jeff Ownby said.
"It's out of date and needs to be replaced," Ownby said.
The system automatically calls residents in times of emergencies including chemical releases, missing children or severe weather. The system can call landlines or cellphones.
Residents must opt in to receive the severe weather updates for warnings for flash floods, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. They can choose to be notified for any combination of the weather warnings. Information on how to sign up for the free service will be made available soon.
Some commissioners were concerned about residents being woken up in the middle of the night for weather warnings.
"If we can save one life I think it would be worth it to be woken up at 2 a.m.," Commissioner Harold Brooker said.
The three-year contract will cost the county $22,500 each year. Code Red is used in 104 of 159 counties in the state.
Commissioners also voted 4-0 to pay Norcross-based Moreland Altobelli $13,000 per month to continue project management services the company has provided for the county's Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) projects. Moreland Altobelli has managed the TSPLOST projects since November 2007. The contract is for the next six months. County engineer Kent Benson said there are still 11 TSPLOST projects that require the company's expertise.
Copyright 2011 - The Daily Citizen, Dalton, Ga.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
