Stoneham establishes emergency notification system
Similar to several neighboring towns, Stoneham has adopted a reverse 911 system that will allow for Police, Fire and the Department of Public Works to send out emergency notifications, alerting residents to anything from school lockdowns and armed robberies to planned water and electric maintenance.
“The CodeRED system is a reverse 911 system,” explained Police Chief Richard Bongiorno, who said they can use it “if we have emergencies and we want to notify the entire community, the entire business community or if we have an issue and just want to notify a specific area within a neighborhood.”
The system, which can be isolated to as small an area as one street in town, will be used for both emergencies and non-emergencies. Police and Fire will use the system strictly for emergencies, while the DPW may only use it to warn neighborhoods that their water will be shut off for a certain period of time on a specific day.
“Folks don’t want to get too many calls. So we will use it judiciously,” said Bongiorno. The system will most likely not be used to declare a snow emergency like other communities, for example.
The contact number for residents is taken from public record. So those whose numbers are private, and would like to be added to the emergency notification system’s database, are asked to go to the town’s website at ci.stoneham.ma.us and click on the CodeRed link at the very bottom right of the page.
There, residents may enter their address, e-mail and up to two phone numbers. They may also sign up for the option of receiving text messages instead of phone calls. Those without Internet access are asked to call Carla Gambardella, administrative assistant at the police station, at 781-438-1215, ext. 3140, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for assistance.
According to Bongiorno, the only officials who will have access to the proper codes to send out such a notification are himself, Fire Chief Joseph Rolli, DPW Director Bob Grover, police dispatchers and the Town Administrator David Ragucci. The system will try up to three times to get in touch with the resident, with an 80 percent success rate, according to Bongiorno.
Richard Bongiorno
Chief of Police
T o w n of
S T O N E H A M
47 CENTRAL STREET
MASSACHUSETTS
02180
POLICE DEPARTMENT
(781) 438_1215
FAX (781) 279_9084
The Stoneham Police Department is initializing an “At Risk Persons Recognition Program”. This program would provide the Police Department with pertinent information on residents with any issues that would deem them at risk of wandering from their residence. The program would encompass but not be limited to Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, etc. If you are the Parent, Spouse, or Caregiver of a person you believe is an “At Risk” resident, please contact Dispatcher Brian Johnston at the Stoneham Police Department, 781-438-1215 x3234. An information sheet will be completed and attached to a photo of the individual. These items will be compiled in a file and available to the Officers and/or Dispatchers if needed. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 781-438-1215 x3234
Brian Johnston
Public Safety Dispatcher
Town of Stoneham
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