FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2007

More than 1,000 residents and businesses have already enrolled in the city’s new Code Red emergency telephone notification system. Those numbers have been added to the existing data base, which now includes more than 11,300 phone numbers. The system is free for all Meridian residents and business owners.

This system allows designated city officials to deliver emergency messages to every residence in the city or in selected areas or neighborhoods as warranted. The system delivers a recorded message to the person who answers the phone, and also leaves a message if an answering machine picks up. Cell phones may or may not get messages, depending on which cell phone provider the customer has. If no message is left, you should see the number 999-911-9999 on your caller ID. The system will attempt to call a number three times before it stops trying to make contact.

“It’s extremely important for every resident and business to sign up,” says Bunky Partridge, director of Homeland Security for the City of Meridian. “While we already had a data base of home phone numbers, we want to add cell phone numbers. Every resident will want to make sure each family member is notified in case of emergency, and people are relying on cell phones more than ever for instant communications.”

Emergencies for which the system might be activated include hazardous materials spills, lost children or elderly people, evacuation notices, fires, floods, bomb threats, hostage situations or any other emergency in which the public would benefit from rapid notification. The system is capable of placing 1,500 calls per minute, which will provide ample time for notification in virtually all emergencies with the possible exception of tornados.

The city is asking every resident and business to fill out a form with numbers they would like to be in the Code Red system. This information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the Code Red system. Residents may list up to five telephone numbers, including cell phones, of numbers used by persons living at that address. Businesses may list up to 10 phone numbers for the place of business.

In order to place phone numbers in the system, you may:

· Go to the City of Meridian web site at www.meridianms.org and, on the home page, click on the Code Red logo. Since the form only has space for two phone numbers, you will have to fill out multiple forms for additional phone numbers.

· Check your September water bill. On the back, residents will be able to list their phone numbers and return the stub with payment. Businesses will not have this option.

· Pick up a form(s) at any of the following places: Temporary City Hall, Meridian Police Department, Central Fire Station, Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation Department and the Meridian Activity Center (formerly Senior Citizens Center). Please fill out the forms while you are at these locations and turn them in to the person who gave you the form.

The city’s goal is to have as complete a data base as possible by September 30. Residents and businesses may make changes throughout the year however, as phone numbers or addresses change. Only by notifying City of Meridian Homeland Security Department with changes will you be assured of receiving an emergency call. That number is 601-485-1826.

Meridian is the first city in Mississippi to adopt the Code Red system. Mayor John Robert Smith learned of the program while at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and asked the Department of Homeland Security if the system would be of benefit to the community. After doing extensive research, the staff concluded that Code Red was the best, most efficient notification system on the market and proceeded to secure it for the people of Meridian.

Those who are authorized to launch an emergency message include the mayor (or the chief administrative officer in the mayor’s absence,) the police chief, the fire chief, the public works director and the director of homeland security. If an emergency notice is launched, those in the data base will hear one of those five voices telling them of the emergency and giving instructions as necessary.

For more information, call 601-485-1826.