Phone calls part of emergency response test
Kirsten Adams
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: News
Students who received automated phone calls from Rich Péwé, vice president of administration, last Wednesday can expect more in the future. The calls were part of a test of the college's new emergency response broadcast system.
The emergency system was implemented last year as part of a nationwide surge in college campus security after the Virginia Tech shootings. Sheila Butler, aide to the vice president of administration, said the system sends out an automated emergency message to 5,436 telephone numbers and e-mail addresses across campus.
When the school faces an emergency situation such as a shooting or natural disaster, Péwé could record an automated message, warning students of the danger, that is sent to cell phones and email inboxes across campus within minutes.
Mike Wertz, Director of Campus Security, said similar tests will occur sporadically until the school reaches full implementation.
"We are continually revising the emergency response capabilities and upgrading systems," Wertz said.
The emergency system was implemented last year as part of a nationwide surge in college campus security after the Virginia Tech shootings. Sheila Butler, aide to the vice president of administration, said the system sends out an automated emergency message to 5,436 telephone numbers and e-mail addresses across campus.
When the school faces an emergency situation such as a shooting or natural disaster, Péwé could record an automated message, warning students of the danger, that is sent to cell phones and email inboxes across campus within minutes.
Mike Wertz, Director of Campus Security, said similar tests will occur sporadically until the school reaches full implementation.
"We are continually revising the emergency response capabilities and upgrading systems," Wertz said.
Be the first to comment on this story