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1. What is an Emergency Notification System?

Emergency Notification Systems, or ENS, are systems to provide mass notification of residents in the event of an emergency. In Palos Heights we have chosen to use the Emergency Communications Network, Inc. CodeRED system as a means to notify residents by phone.

2. What should I do if I receive a CodeRED message?

If you receive a CodeRED message, listen carefully. The message will be brief and not repeated. Follow the instructions given. You may be directed to a commercial TV or radio station for further information. Do not hang up until you have heard the entire message. You may miss important information. Do not call 9-1-1 for further information unless directed to do so. You will only tie up the emergency lines.

3. What does a CodeRED message sound like?

The message is normally recorded by a detective. It is a true recorded message and not computer generated. The message will always begin with a statement that This is the City of Palos Heights Police, Fire, City Hall or Public Works department. They will then state if the call is an emergency or non-emergency situation.

The text of the message and further instructions would follow. The messages will generally be brief and if further instructions are necessary, you may be directed to turn to a commercial radio or TV station.

4. How does CodeRED work?

CodeRED is a telephone notification system that can dial up to 60,000 phones an hour and deliver a recorded message. The detective division can use a digital map online to define an area that requires a message and CodeRED will automatically target all of the phone numbers in that defined area for the emergency message. When the detective initiates the notification, the recorded message is “blasted” to all the phones in the defined area in a very brief period. Busy numbers will be redialed a preset number of times. CodeRED also has the ability to store predefined lists of names and phone numbers that can be activated for specific notifications.

Although CodeRED can leave a message on a telephone answering instrument you may not receive the message because of noise levels on the recorder and the length of the prerecorded message.

5. How does CodeRED determine what phone numbers to dial?

Southwest Central Dispatch (SWCD) has the authority to use confidential 9-1-1 telephone numbers for emergency ENS calls. SWCD also purchased listed phone numbers from a commercial database. If you have caller ID CodeRED will displays the following number: 999-911-9999.

6. Why you may not receive a message?

If a person utilizes cell phones, voice over IP or any other type of service not associated with normal landline telephone service, their phone will not be in the database. If a business has multiple telephone numbers associated with their business they may not be contacted. A privacy manager service will defeat the system.

 

If you are uncertain or desire additional numbers to be notified, you should access: http://www.southwestcentral911.org/ click on the CodeRED link. If you do not have access to the Internet you can call our station at: 708-448-5060. 

7. What are some of the uses for CodeRed?

The primary use of CodeRed is to notify county residents of an immediate emergency. It can be used to define an area for evacuation or ‘shelter in place’ notifications for incidents such as a hazardous material spill or major gas leak. It can also be used to direct residents to a specific TV or Radio station for further important details and instructions. It may alert residents to shelters during weather or power emergencies. CodeRed can also be used to alert a neighborhood to watch for a lost child, an impaired individual who has walked away, or dangerous individuals that may be in the area.

8. Can CodeRed be used for non-emergency or urgent messages?

Yes. Using the list feature, the Police Department may wish to use it to notify on-call employees very quickly and notify specialized officers in case of a large-scale emergency. The department can create lists of emergency responders and use CodeRed as a backup to the normal emergency notification process.

9. Who pays for CodeRed?

The Board of Directors of Southwest Central Dispatch (SWCD) has agreed that SWCD would be the contracting agency and that SWCD would assume the cost for emergency notifications. The City of Palos Heights may use CodeRed for non-emergency notifications and would reimburse SWCD for the cost of the activation.

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1. What makes this site different from the old site?

The short answer is - a lot.

We've build the new website on a proprietary hybrid mobile-responsive platform that functions on all devices: Desktops, Laptops, iPads, Android tablets, iPhones, Android Phones, and pretty much any smart device that uses one of the major website browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer).

2. What are the new features in the site?

If you are a resident of Palos Heights, or work in Palos Heights and have frequented the old site, you'll notice that the navigation has significantly improved. We've broken things into easily navigable categories - City/Government, Residents, Businesses, News and Information, and Special Events. Within each of those major categories, we've culled the latest content to display within those primary categories. Additionally, you'll notice an all-new "Deals" section - but more about that later...

3. Should I create a user profile for the site? If so, why?

As a resident of Palos Heights (or someone that works in Palos Heights), creating a user profile will allow you to interact with the new website in a fully customizable way. With the addition of city businesses advertising special offers to residents, you'll have the ability to receive notices from the businesses you'd like to follow the instant they are posted. With more than 190 businesses in town, we're sure you'll find plenty of things that suit your taste. And - there's nothing better than supporting local businesses within your town! Also, registering allows you to share any deals you see with your friends that may be interested as well - all through a simple click of a button!

4. Is the new Palos Heights website SEO-friendly?

Not only SEO friendly, but it has been built by a team of Entrepreneurs and Engineers that build 6-figure Tech Startup Websites for themselves and clients across the country. Our core staff learned SEO from one of the most highly regarded SEO pioneers in the world – someone that is considered a top 10 expert and has authored a famous plugin and SEO Modeling environment with over 1,000,000 users. Our decades of experience with SEO have been built into the site to benefit the city, it's businesses and residents.

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1. Are you a resident or non-resident?

To qualify for resident fees, an individual or family must reside within the boundaries of Palos Heights. Proof of residency (i.e. driver's license, utility bill, tax bill) will be required when registering for the first time. If you are unsure of your residency, check your tax bill. If you have a line item for the City of Palos Heights, you are considered a resident. 

The Recreation Department may waive the residency requirement for a program if it is considered in the best interest of the Recreation Department. For more information call 708-361-1807.

2. How do I register for activities?

Find online registration information on our Registration Options page.