DENISON, Tex. – Denison firefighters now have a new tool to help keep residents safe. Stephanie Brletic details the Code Red System.

Code Red is an automated system that calls residents when authorities say danger is near. The program has the ability to call 60,000 phone numbers in an hour and will be used primarily for severe weather or other dangerous situations like a chemical spill.

Denison Assistant Fire Chief Bill Ray says early warning is the key to saving lives and having successful evacuations. During severe weather, people often rely on storm sirens, but this is just another way to help keep people safe.

"Over the past years, our siren system has gotten old and decrepit. I believe this is a very good replacement for that and will save lives in the event we have any kind of disasters," Ray said.

The program is free to all Denison residents and includes all landlines, but authorities encourage citizens to visit the city's website to register their cell phone numbers as well.

You can do so at the following link: http://www.cityofdenison.com/fd/codered.asp