On Aug. 7, at 7:00 p.m., the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County and the Department of Public Safety will be conducting an annual test of the County’s Code Red Emergency Notification System. CodeRED is a high speed telephone calling system capable of delivering customized pre-recorded emergency messages directly to homes and businesses, individuals and answering machines, at the rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour.

Do not be alarmed. This will be a test used to better prepare emergency responders prior to emergency response efforts. During an actual emergency, the system will be deployed to warn and advise you of emergencies by calling phone numbers registered with 9-1-1, emergency services. If you would like to register an additional phone number (mobile or work) to be called during emergencies at or near your home address, please visit our emergency notification website at: http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/emergencycodered.asp.

You can also sign up for the Weather Warning System and receive telephone notification for Tornadoes, Flash Floods, and Thunderstorm Warnings. The system sends these notifications 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing the needed time to prepare for severe weather events. This becomes even more critical if a tornado comes through your area during the night, when television, radio broadcasts and sirens are less effective.

For further information please contact Ms. Michelle Lilly, Manager, Emergency Management Division at the Department of Public Safety (301) 475-4200 ext 2124.