Cottonwood Police Department
NEWS RELEASE
199 S. 6th Street - cottonwood, aZ 86326 – 928.634.4246
http://cottonwoodaz.gov/PD
________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Sergeant Monica Kuhlt
Cottonwood Police Department
mkuhlt@cottonwoodaz.gov
(928) 340-2113 desk
Cottonwood Police Department partnering with the Yavapai
County Sheriff’s Office for Emergency Public Notifications
Cottonwood, Ariz, June 19, 2018 — Until recently, the Cottonwood Police Department utilized
a web based system locally branded as CENS or the Cottonwood Emergency Notification
System. CENS, an InspironLogistics® product, allowed for the notification of emergencies or
other important public safety related details to citizens via email, text message, or voice calls.
Purchased 9-1-1 records allowed for a “reverse 911” type of notification while wireless users
were encouraged to opt in by registering for text or email notifications.
“The CENS system was utilized very rarely for public notifications. As a municipality within
Yavapai County, we were operating as an island in terms of public notification. The Yavapai
County Sheriff’s Office utilizes CodeRED® for emergency public notification for all of Yavapai
County. It just did not make sense fiscally or operationally to have two notification systems
essentially serving the same area with the potential to send conflicting messages, “stated
Communications Manager, Marie Carpenter.
In 2014, when the Cottonwood Public Safety Communications Center began providing Fire/EMS
dispatching services, the product HipLink® was acquired to allow for CAD (Computer Aided
Dispatch) software details to be relayed directly to Fire/EMS responders. “Our CAD vendor
required a specific product for CAD to device messaging. We had a limited number of receiver
licenses initially and they were used exclusively for Fire/EMS operations,” stated Carpenter.
“CENS was utilized on a regular basis, however,” stated Carpenter. “We found that being able
to create messaging groups of our responders in the police department made for very thorough
and efficient notification to manpower groups. We were very pleased with the CENS product,
but again operational and fiscal efficiency were principal factors. After careful consideration, we
made the decision to increase the number of receiver licenses and began using HipLink® for all
internal operations notifications, so we could discontinue the revolving annual expense for
CENS.”
Cottonwood Police Department leadership reached out to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
regarding emergency public notifications and the use of CodeRED®. YCSO was very
amenable to working with the Cottonwood Police Department to send emergency public
notifications out on Cottonwood’s behalf, should an incident require a public notification.
The Cottonwood Police Department is encouraging all residents and visitors to register for
CodeRED® notifications by visiting http://www.ycsoaz.gov/community/Emergency-
Preparedness/Emergency-Notification-System. A link is also available on the City of
Cottonwood website. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to download the app to begin
receiving notifications from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office immediately. The app is
available for a free download on the App Store and Google Play.
Carpenter added, “I would also recommend that residents and visitors familiarize themselves
with the Emergency Information Network website and the “READY, SET, GO!” program by
visiting https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for tips on preparedness, awareness, and evacuation.”
(###)