An emergency software notification system that enables officials to notify residents and businesses of potential emergencies or problems is now part of Clarion County’s public safety system.
Brett Whitling, of the county’s Department of Public Safety, said during the Clarion County commissioners meeting on Tuesday that the system, known as CodeRED, notifies residents and businesses by telephone text or voice, email and other methods. “The system can reach hundreds of thousands of people in minutes to ensure information reaches people quickly.”
Whitling said the planners have developed groups to convey specific information to specific areas. Groups are composed of police, fire chiefs, schools and others. “Only authorized officials have access to send alerts using the CodeRED system.”
If there were to be an active-shooter situation, the system would notify the people in that area. The system can also be used for boil-water alerts, missing-persons reports, gas leaks and evacuation notices.
Whitling urged county residents to register for CodeRED, for which there is no fee. The registration form is on the county website. Residents also can register by calling Whitling at the Department of Public Safety, (814) 226-4000, Ext. 1403.
People who do not enroll still will receive weather and other emergency notifications.
Whitling said the when the system is activated, the call will have caller ID (206) 536-3695.
California-based OnSolve developed the software and funding was through the 911 phone surcharge.
Other business
The commissioners approved a contract with JH Consulting to perform a commodity flow study on various roads. Clarion County Deputy Director Department of Public Safety Denny Logue said there would be six sites surveyed on Interstate 80 in Clarion and other sites on heavily traveled roads.
The diamond-shaped hazardous materials placards on the trucks supply the information for the survey.
“This is required every five years,” he said. “It lets us know what we have to deal with in the event of an emergency. You would be surprised what travels on I-80.”
Logue said the results of the study would be available to the public along with the results of previous surveys.
The commissioners approved a $550,000 affordable rental housing project request on behalf of the Clarion County Housing Authority for improvements to the former Coca-Cola bottling factory on Second Avenue in Clarion. The building will be used for low-income apartments and some office space.
During the Clarion County Salary Board meeting before the commissioners meeting, the position of deputy warden was created at an annual salary of $46,446.40 to $57,096.40. Veteran corrections officer Sherry Yates had been hired to fill the position earlier this month by the jail inspection board.
The motion to create the position was passed 3-1. Commissioner Ted Tharan cast the lone no vote.
Due to the primary election on April 23, the next meeting of the commissioners meeting will be held April 25 at the county’s administration building.