Mayor Encourages Preparedness

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass is encouraging residents to register their home and cell phone numbers on the City Code Red System. This system is used by emergency management officials to notify residents of emergency situations. The system is used in a myriad of emergency situations, including amber alerts, missing persons, gas leaks and extreme weather emergencies. “The purpose of the Code Red system is to get information to our citizens as quickly as possible in an emergency situation,” said Mayor Bass. “Many of us rely upon the media for this type of notification; however, if you are not tuned in to your television when a situation arises, you may not be aware of the need for action.”

The City recently has used the Code Red system to warn Tyler residents to take cover due to a tornado sighting. Although the City does have outdoor warning sirens, residents inside their homes may not hear them in the event of an emergency. “The key word is outdoor,” explained Police Chief Gary Swindle. “If you are inside your home, it is quite possible you may not hear the outdoor sirens – particularly if you have music playing, are watching TV, if the wind is blowing or there is heavy rainfall. The Code Red system will call your home or cell phone to alert you of emergencies. We encourage residents to register their phone numbers if they haven’t already.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to read more.