CodeRED calls are only a test today

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office notified Historic City News that they will be testing the CodeRED Emergency Notification System for the next five hours between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

This test will be used to attempt to call the entire community.

“The calls will begin now and will continue until the entire database has been attempted,” said St. Johns County Sheriff David B. Shoar.

This call will give Sheriff’s Office personnel the chance to operate the system as if there has been a community wide disaster.

The message that is being delivered directs recipients to the Sheriff’s Office web site to add additional contact numbers, and it also asks that recipients spread the word by mentioning the system to family, friends and neighbors.

Shoar suggests that “all individuals and businesses take the time to visit our website and add contact information to include cellular phones and other non-traditional phones as well as email and text addresses if so desired.”

Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw explained that “If your contact information is not in the database you will not receive a call when an urgent message is sent.”

In particular businesses should register, as well as individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number recently, and those who use a cellular phone exclusively or have VoIP phones (such as Vonage) as their primary numbers.

Those without Internet access may call (904) 209-6355 now to add their telephone numbers. Required information includes a street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes) for location purposes and a primary phone number. Additional phone numbers, email and text addresses may also be entered.