CodeRED, a text-based program to alert Lincoln County residents to emergencies and other critical alerts, is now live, Emergency Management Agency  Director Casey Stevens told commissioners Tuesday. Residents can sign up for texts or emails by texting Lincoln County to 99411. There is also an app for mobile phones at the Google or Apple stores. For another 99 cents, weather emergency reports can be added.

Examples of alerts via CodeRED include active shooter situations, evacuations, bio-terrorism, boil water notices, and missing children or senior citizens. The EMA program is funded by a Homeland Security grant. When the grant runs out, the cost per year to the county will be $8,500, Stevens has said.

EMA’s first preparedness fair Sept. 21 attracted about 100 visitors, according to Stevens. Vendors and other organizations totaled 34. Stevens said he was pleased with the turnout, especially since it was the first year. He said the participants felt it was also valuable because they were able to network. He was not sure whether the fair would be an annual or biannual event, but the department planned to hold fairs in the future.

Stevens said the estimated $113,000 emergency management grant that funds half his agency is now a contract, rather than a memo of understanding. He has not yet received the contract, but it is due back before the next commissioners’ meeting, so he received permission for County Administrator Carrie Kipfer to sign the contract in order to return it on time. He also updated commissioners on the upcoming AM radio station. He said he would be moving a shed onto the property where the tower is, in Newcastle, to house the radio transmitter. 

Deputy Aaron Beck has resigned his part-time job, citing personal reasons, according to Lt. Michael Murphy, who filled in for Sheriff Todd Brackett and Chief Rand Maker at Tuesday’s meeting. Recently promoted sergeant Ryan Chubbuck was granted permission to travel to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Nov. 18-22 for a course on conducting child abuse investigations. The course’s organizers are paying for the course and lodging.