Beginning Sept. 1, the Town began using Emergency Communications Network’s CodeRED to maintain the data base of numbers to be called and to send out the messages as needed. CodeRED provides the Town with the additional flexibility to deliver messages to cell phones, to send text messages and to notify persons who have downloaded the CodeRED Mobile Alert App on their GPS-enabled smart phones when they are driving into an area that is the subject of an alert.

The CodeRED service includes a database with many listed residential and commercial telephone numbers in the Town. However, persons with unlisted telephone numbers or with cell phones as their primary telephone will not be called unless they sign up through the Town’s website, http://HuntingtonNY.gov <http://HuntingtonNY.gov> . Click on the Huntington Alert icon on the home page.

Persons without Internet access can sign up by calling 631-351-3044.

“No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included,” Supervisor Petrone said. “Because we want to ensure that our emergency notifications reach the widest possible audience, we encourage residents and businesses – even if they have listed numbers – to register for Huntington Alert.”

In particular, signing up at the site will allow residents and businesses to identify a preferred telephone number for the call, as well as to provide an address for e-mail alerts.

Required information includes first and last name, street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code, and primary phone number, additional phone numbers can be entered as well. All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number.

People who have already signed up for Huntington Alert do not have to sign up again, unless they want to change their call options or add information.