Emergency Notification Systems, emergency communication, and Emergency Preparedness Plans

The following summary is from http://oja.wi.gov/section.asp?linkid=1147&locid=97:

The Governor's Task Force on Campus Safety is focused on ensuring the safety of college campuses across Wisconsin. At the direction of Governor Jim Doyle, the Task Force is reviewing and compiling criteria for developing best practices from universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions in Wisconsin and across the nation. This information will be submitted to the governor and will serve as a resource for college administrators, law enforcement officers, and emergency preparedness officials.

The Task Force delivered an Interim Report to Governor Doyle on August 15. A final report will be published on November 1st.   

Virginia Tech has announced its selection today of 3n (National Notification Network) as its choice for a new emergency notification system. The University of Miami also announced on May 22nd the purchase of the 3n InstaCom system to automate emergency communications with their students, faculty, and staff. "The new emergency notification system, along with existing communications vehicles long used by the university, will form the basis of “VT Alerts,” a fully integrated and coordinated emergency communications program maintained by Virginia Tech’s Office of University Relations," according to a Virginia Tech press release issued today.

More excerpts from the press release:

In the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities across the country are reviewing their emergency preparedness plans and evaluating their ability to quickly notify constituents in crisis situations. Networked technologies (posting notices on Web sites, e-mailing information, and sending text messages to cell phones) are among the most promising solutions. As campuses explore options for their emergency communication plan, they must also consider infrastructure and policy and procedural components.

In this free May 3 EDUCAUSE Live! Web seminar, Emergency Notification Systems for a Mobile Community, Rodney J. Petersen, Government Relations Officer and Security Task Force Coordinator, EDUCAUSE, and Mark Katsouros, Director, Telecommunication and Network Services, The University of Iowa, will provide an overview of the strategies for emergency notifications of students, employees, and visitors, as well as a context and resources for campus emergency preparedness planning.