By Becky Killian, Staff Writer
The county has adopted a mass notification system to communicate with the county’s residents during emergencies. Deni Stempowski, the county’s Emergency Management Agency director, explained the Code Red system to the Washington County Council during the Monday, Dec. 2, meeting.
Residents can decide how they wish to receive notifications, such as by landline, cell phone, or email. The notifications would include information about the type of emergency as well as any instructions, such as detours needed due to police or fire emergencies.
The mass notification system is less costly and more effective than sirens, Stempowski said.
The Code Red system will cost a total of about $21,625 for a five-year contract.
In another matter, Stempowski asked the council to consider changing her employment status as EMA director from part- to full-time. She explained that the change would allow the county to receive more grant money from the state to help pay her salary.
As a part-time employee, Stempowski said the state will provide the county with about $12,500 to offset her salary cost. If her position is made full-time, the state will reimburse the county about $23,600.
The council agreed to table the matter until January to further consider it.