City of Frederick Unveils "Fred" for 24/7 Resident Support

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The City of Frederick is introducing “Fred,” a new digital assistant designed to streamline resident access to city services and information. According to the city’s announcement, Fred will operate as a 24/7 website and text chat service, providing immediate answers to common questions, guiding users to relevant city programs and departments, and assisting with service request submissions. This initiative aims to enhance how residents engage with their local government.

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The interactive website component of Fred is scheduled to become available during the week of February 9, 2026. Residents will be able to access Fred through the official City of Frederick website by clicking on a chat icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen. The text messaging option, however, is already active, allowing residents to connect with the service by sending the word “Hello” to (833) 313-3733. The city plans to continually refine Fred’s responses and guidance based on user interactions, ensuring the information provided remains accurate and relevant to the most frequently asked questions.

Fred is designed to offer a range of capabilities for residents. It will provide access to comprehensive information about the city’s various programs, services, and administrative departments. Furthermore, the service is intended to offer clear guidance on frequently encountered questions and the process for submitting service requests. Fred will also be instrumental in directing residents to the correct city staff or resources best equipped to address their specific needs. A key feature highlighted is Fred’s multilingual support, which is intended to improve accessibility for a broader range of residents.

The visual identity of Fred’s chat icon is inspired by the Black-crowned Night Heron, which is the official bird of the City of Frederick. This design choice reflects the city’s involvement in the Bird City Maryland program. Additional details regarding this program and the city’s official bird, named Midnight, can be found on the frederickmd.gov/Birds website. The introduction of Fred aligns with the City of Frederick’s broader commitment to improving access to information and fostering more efficient interactions between residents and city government.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from The City of Frederick

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