Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mesquite Alerts and why is it important to me? 

Mesquite Alerts, powered by CodeRED, is an emergency notification service that allows emergency officials to notify residents and businesses by telephone, cell phone, text message, email and social media regarding time-sensitive general and emergency notifications. Only authorized officials have access to the Mesquite Alerts system.

When will Mesquite Alerts be used? 

Any message regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community will be disseminated using the Mesquite Alerts system. These may include notifications of hazardous traffic or road conditions, boil water advisories or evacuation notices.

Does the Mesquite Alerts system replace other systems that have been used to provide time-sensitive information to residents? 

This system is an enhancement to existing means of communication and is meant to supplement current or past systems used for mass notification.

Does the Mesquite Alerts system already have my telephone number, or do I need to sign up to receive Mesquite Alerts notifications?

Mesquite Alerts utilizes the CodeRED database which contains information received from public databases, including regional phonebooks. However, no resident should assume that their information is in the system. The Office of Emergency Management webpage, https://www.cityofmesquite.com/459/Office-of-Emergency-Management, has a link to the Mesquite Alerts Enrollment page where you can register online.

I have a business located in Mesquite. Can I arrange to have Mesquite Alerts contact my business? 

Yes. Fill out the Mesquite Alerts registration form but be sure to select the “This address is a business” option. Please note that emergency calls can only be delivered to a direct dial number. Automated attendants will disrupt the process and the calls will not be delivered. Businesses should register their main number and establish a procedure for distributing the Mesquite Alerts message to their workforce.

What if I want to register additional numbers for my address? 

After you submit the initial registration form, you may start the registration process again and submit more numbers for the same address.

Is my personal information protected?

Mesquite Alerts utilizes CodeRED which is a service of Emergency Communications Network which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously. They will not sell, trade, lease or loan any data citizen supplied data to third parties.

How will I recognize a Mesquite Alerts message? 

A Mesquite Alerts Emergency message will have a caller ID of 866-419-5000. We suggest you program both numbers in your cell phone as a “new contact” and use “Mesquite Alerts Emergency” as the contact name. If you need to replay the emergency notification message again, simply dial the number and you will be able to hear the message again.

What should I do if I receive a Mesquite Alerts message?

Listen carefully to the entire message. You will have the option to repeat the message by pressing any key. Do not call 911 for further information unless you need immediate aid from the Police or Fire department.

I have a landline, and it does not work when the power goes out. How will the system be able to contact me? 

Make sure you have at least one working corded telephone – and be sure to turn the ringer on. The Mesquite Alerts sign-up form allows you to indicate both a primary and alternate phone number. Cell phone and/or work phone numbers can be entered as alternate phone numbers. Both primary and alternate phone numbers will be contacted when a notification is sent.

Will the Mesquite Alerts system leave a message on an answering machine? 

Yes, the Mesquite Alerts system will leave a message on a machine or on voicemail. The Mesquite Alerts system will leave the entire message in one pass.

What happens if the line is busy?

If the line is busy, Mesquite Alerts will try two more times to connect.

What circumstances might prevent a message from being delivered to me? 

  • If your contact information has changed and you have not registered your new information. 
  • If you only have a landline at your residence, the power is out and you did not register an alternate phone number. 
  • If your line is busy for an extended time and your calls do not forward to voicemail or an answering machine. 
  • If you have a privacy manager on your main phone and you did not register an alternate phone number. City of Mesquite will receive a report of undelivered calls and can instruct the Mesquite Alerts system to begin another round of calls to busy numbers. It is best to have an alternate phone number in the calling database for these situations.