Show All Answers

1. What is CodeRED?

The CodeRED Emergency Notification System is a fast communication service allowing the Village of La Grange to notify citizens of an emergency situation. It enables the Village to provide mass notification quickly and easily.

2. How will I benefit from this service?

The high-speed telephone system will allow the Village to contact participants to provide information about a critical situation, to explain what actions need to be taken, and to notify that the situation has been resolved.

3. What do I have to do to receive this benefit?

To receive CodeRED calls, you will need to register. The service is free. 4. How does CodeRED work?

CodeRED delivers the important message through a high-speed telephone calling system to a phone number entered in the system. Village staff will access CodeRED via a secure portal on the web. A "call area" will be marked identifying street addresses. Telephone numbers will be matched up electronically to these addresses and a pre-recorded message will be sent out via the telephone with information about the incident and instructions for actions to be taken.

5. Will the system work with cell phones?

Yes. However, your cell phone number needs to be associated with your La Grange address for incidents occurring in La Grange. Alternatively, you can use the mobile alerts app to receive notifications concerning incidents based on your location. We encourage you to visit the registration website and follow the instructions for inputting or updating your information.

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

1. Listen carefully.


2. Don’t hang up until you hear the whole message. The message will not be repeated.


3. Follow the instructions.


4. Do not call 9-1-1 unless instructed to do so. You will only tie up emergency lines.

7. What does a CodeRED message sound like?

The message will begin with a statement advising that the message is from the Village of La Grange. The remaining text will provide information about the situation, including if and how people need to respond. You may be directed to listen to a local radio or television station for updates and additional information. Here’s a sample of what you might hear:

• Chemical Spill – Shelter in Place
  This is a message from the Village of La Grange. Due to a hazardous material release in your immediate area, all citizens are requested to shelter in their homes; turn off all heating, air conditioning, and ventilation; close windows and doors; and tape any gaps that will allow air inside. Shelter within the innermost part of the house. Bring all pets inside. Please do not call 9-1-1. Once the situation is resolved, you will be notified via the telephone. Thank you for your cooperation.


• Chemical Spill – All Clear
  This is a message from the Village of La Grange. The hazardous materials release has been resolved and it is now safe to resume normal activities. No necessary action need be taken. Thank you for your cooperation.

8. What should I do if I don’t receive a message?

Your area of the community may not be affected. In this case, you won’t receive a call even if it’s only a block away. If your phone number and address don’t match up, or are not even in the system, we encourage you to register with the system.

No one should automatically assume his or her telephone number is included. All La Grange businesses should register. In addition, you should register if you:

• Changed your phone number or address within the last year


• Have an unlisted phone number


• Use a cellular phone as your home phone

9. What is CodeRED used for?

CodeRED will be used for significant incidents and events where the timely notification of an affected population or geographic area is essential.

10. Is CodeRED the only means of notification?

No. CodeRED is only part of the notification process. Other tools include this website and media outlets like local television and radio stations. Residents are always encouraged to tune into local media outlets for the latest information.

11. Will CodeRED be used for all emergency notifications?

Yes. Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be utilized:

• Bomb threats


• Chemical spills or gas leaks


• Drinking water contamination


• Evacuation notices and routes


• Fires or floods


• Hostage situations


• Missing persons


• Utility outages

Severe weather updates

The system will also be used in any other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety.

12. Will CodeRED be used for any non-emergency notifications?

Yes. The system may be used to notify citizens of non-emergency situations as necessary and appropriate.

13. What if I am not at home or cannot answer my phone?

The CodeRED system will record messages to voicemail and answering machines. When there is no answer at a telephone number, CodeRED will attempt to deliver messages three times before deleting the number from the queue.

If you have caller ID installed on your phone, the CodeRED call may display as "OnSolve;" however, the number will be (866) 419-5000. For CodeRed Severe Weather Warning calls, either "OnSolve" or the number (800) 566-9780 will be displayed. Please make a note of this, and do not disregard calls from this number!

14. How can I get the message repeated?

As a new service, if you miss the message for a phone call, you can simply redial the number displayed on your caller ID to hear the last message delivered.

15. Should I register?

It is recommended that all businesses register. All individuals are recommended to register if they have unlisted phone numbers, have changed phone numbers or addresses in the last year, and/or use a cellphone or VOIP (Comcast for example) as their primary number.

16. Does CodeRED offer any other services?

As a new service, CodeRED also offers weather warnings as an opt-in only additional service. Those who opt-in will be provided with information directly from the National Weather Service's Storm Based Warnings. If you are not currently enrolled in this service you may want to click the link above and update your registration.