Recent storms in Brown County caused residents to question Brown County Emergency Management Director Brent Bush regarding the new DeltAlert system regarding weather warning calls which were not received on all phones registered on DeltAlert accounts.
Bush stated that the DeltAlert system has a different process for calling during potentially hazardous weather situations than that of the previously used system CodeRED. Bush explained that not all numbers on an account are called at the same time (which was the process of CodeRED). Instead, the first number of an account is called and then the system moves to another account.
Bush offered the following explanation:
“Unlike the CodeRED system that notified every number in the entry, DeltAlert determined they could contact more households, and do it faster, if they made contact with only one phone number in each account, then moved on to the next account entered,” explained Bush. “This process speeds notifications by not tying up the phone system trying to contact every number in an account.”
After Bush’s communications with DeltAlert officials, he stated that all numbers within an account should be contacted in times of dangerous weather due to some changes made within the system. According to DeltAlert, all phone numbers in existing accounts (those entered before May 8th) have been exported to show each as a separate account.
After May 8th, those registering for this service should make a separate account for each phone number they wish to receive a call. Although it is somewhat of an inconvenience, Bush stated that safety is worth the effort.
“I understand this is not what we had been accustomed to, but it is well worth the difference if more residents can be contacted before severe storms approach,” said Bush.
Brown County residents may sign up for the free DeltAlert weather warning by clicking here. The DeltAlert system has implemented by Brown County and is a free service which warns citizens by calling home or cell phone numbers during severe weather situations or emergencies.
Officials from CodeRED said that their system called targeted numbers that were imminently in the path of severe weather, not the entire database.
