Addison Emergency Communications

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP for Addison's Emergency Communications

What is Addison's Emergency Communication System?

SECONDS COUNT IN AN EMERGENCY! This system allows us to telephone all or targeted areas of the city in case of an emergency situation that requires immediate action (such as a boil-water notice, missing child or evacuation notices). The system delivers a pre-recorded message describing the situations to a live person or an answering machine in the affected area possibly including instructions requiring action on the part of the recipient. Once the situation is remedied, another call will be placed to the area signaling that the issue has been addressed and that normal activities can be resumed.

ARE YOU IN THE DATABASE? Addison's Emergency Communications System is a geographical based system where street addresses are needed to select the telephone numbers that will receive emergency notification calls. Public databases have been used to collect telephone numbers for existing Addison home and businesses and have been placed into the Emergency Communications database. However, sometimes the public databases contain outdated information, thus no one should automatically assume his or her telephone number is included. All individuals and businesses should register, especially if you have an unlisted phone number, have changed your phone number or address within the last year, or you use a cellular phone as your home phone.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT CALLER ID: The following numbers will display when you receive an emergency notification. We encourage all cell phone users to save these numbers in their phones for quick recognition of these important warnings at time of delivery. You may call these numbers back and receive the last warning message if you miss the call although a message should be left for you on your answering machine or voicemail.

WeatherWarn: 1.800.566.9780

CodeRED: 1.866.419.5000

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR ADDISON'S EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM? The following information is required to add a telephone number into the Emergency Communications database: first and last name; address (physical address, no P.O. boxes); city; state; Zip Code; and primary phone number. A primary phone number is most likely the identified home phone number. An alternate phone number, such as a mobile phone, can also be entered and both the primary and alternate line will be contacted in the event of an emergency. The system works with cellular phones but requires a valid street address. When entering information, please fill out all of the screens because the newest data entered will replace the old data. For those who are hearing impaired the Internet update offers a TDD ONLY option for tone delivery of emergency messages. Messages delivered to phone numbers marked TDD will only be delivered in a TDD/TTY format.  Residents without Internet access may call 972.450.7156 to give their information over the phone.

THIS SYSTEM WILL ONLY BE USED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES: Examples of times when the Emergency Communication System could be utilized: drinking water contamination, utility outage, evacuation notice & route, missing person, fires or floods, bomb threat, hostage situation, chemical spill or gas leak, and other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS WEATHER WARNING A BONUS FEATURE: In Texas severe weather is relatively common, especially in the spring and summer. Because it's impossible to be aware of approaching dangerous weather conditions at all times, you can help protect your home and family by signing up for Weather Warnings.  Addison Residents can sign up for the Weather Warning while signing up for Addison's Emergency Communications. The Weather Warning will automatically call citizens when severe weather (tornado, flash flood, and severe thunderstorm) warnings are issued by the National Weather Service for your address. The Weather Warning System calls only when warnings are issued and only if your address is in the path of the storm.

DO NOT CALL/UNSUBSCRIBE: You may call 1.800.566.9780 from the phone that receives the Weather Warning calls, then push option 2 to "opt out" of weather related calls only. You will still be registered for other CodeRED emergency notification calls.

Information about Addison's Outdoor Warning Sirens

Addison has six outdoor warning sirens strategically located throughout the town to warn of potential for life threatening severe weather conditions. The outside warning sirens are designed to notify citizens who are outside only. Because of the way homes and automobiles are constructed; it is impossible for all to hear these alerts indoors or inside your car. We strongly encourage all residents and local businesses to purchase a NOAA weather radio and sign up for Addison's Emergency Communications in order to be notified of alerts indoors and then monitor local weather and media sources for accurate and timely information.

Addison will activate the outdoor warning sirens upon notification of one of the follow:

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a tornado warning for Dallas County and/or the immediate Addison area

Tornado activity has been spotted in the Addison area by a reliable source; police; fire; trained storm spotter or FAA Control Tower at Addison Airport

NWS reported or confirmed straight line winds or downburst in access of 75 MPH

Once activated; the system will sound for three minutes and repeated as necessary until the threat has passed.

The outdoor warning system will be tested on the first Wednesday of every month at approximately 1 p.m. The system will not be tested if the threat of severe weather is present.

The Difference Between a Weather Watch vs. Weather Warning

Watch: A Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of a hazardous weather condition

Warning: A Warning is issued by the NWS when a hazardous condition exists and it is time to take personal protective actions for you; your family and/or business

Again, we strongly encourage all residents and local businesses to purchase a NOAA weather radio and sign up for our CodeRED emergency alert system in order to be notified of alerts indoors and then monitor local weather and media sources for accurate and timely information.

When a warning is issued; make sure you have your family or business disaster supply kit available and activate your family and/or business disaster plan and seek the appropriate shelter and or other protective actions if indicated; and continuously monitor local weather and media sources for timely and accurate information until the danger passes the forecasted area.

For additional information on disaster preparedness contact the Addison Fire Department at 972.450.7201 or visit www.texasprepares.org