Emergency notification systems to be tested Friday
Jan 14, 2010
By George Mauzy
Ohio University's Athens campus will test both its outdoor emergency notification and emergency text-messaging systems around noon on Friday, Jan. 15.
Like all of the university's emergency communication tools, the systems are tested periodically to ensure they are working properly and to help familiarize the campus community with how they will operate in an emergency.
During the outdoor notification system test, the system will broadcast a tone, followed by a pre-recorded test message over speakers located at various points on campus. The system is designed to notify people who are outdoors at the time of an emergency and is not intended to inform those who are indoors.
The university also will test the emergency text-messaging system. A text message will be sent to the cell phones of all faculty, staff and students who have signed up for the service.
Anyone who has not signed up for text messaging can do so at www.ohio.edu/emergency. Registrants can also visit the site to update their cell phone numbers or service-carrier information whenever either changes.
The text messaging system serves as a communication tool for the campus community during an emergency affecting the Athens campus only. Regional campus employees and students may sign
up for the service if they need to know about Athens campus emergencies.
Registrants who do not receive a text message on Friday should visit the registration site to confirm their cell phone information. Comments and feedback about the tests should be e-mailed to hopka@ohio.edu.
Other emergency communication methods in place include CATVision alerts, emergency messaging via the Web, e-mail distribution, and an emergency telephone hotline featuring a recorded message. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit www.ohio.edu/emergency.
Published: Jan 14, 2010 11:34 AM |
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