A new phone-based emergency alert system, CodeRED, proved a hot topic among local officials during Friday's preparations for Hurricane Sandy in North Adams and Adams.
At roughly 3 p.m., Adams Town Administrator Jonathan Butler issued the town's first system check with a public service announcement saying, "[CodeRED] will be used throughout the storm to provide important updates and information."
Officials in both communities urged residents to enter one or all -- home phone, cell phone, email -- into the system before Sandy's expected arrival Tuesday.
"We're highly encouraging folks [who haven't yet] signed up for the CodeRED system to get on there because we will be providing alerts," North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright said Friday. City residents can sign up on the city's website, www.northadams-ma.gov.
North Adams Public Library will reserve one computer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in order for those who do not have a computer to sign up.
The library will also open for regular hours Monday. Residents may also call the NAPD business line to enlist.
Adams Alert Hose Co. chief Paul Goyette called the system a "tremendous resource" after a meeting at Town Hall on Friday.
The town's police chief Donald Poirot highlighted CodeRED's capabilities.
"It allows both general notification of the entire community, and specific notification for particular
Those listed in the phonebook should already be entered, but officials advise that all residents check, particularly customers of AT&T, Time Warner and new Verizon numbers.
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