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KU tests emergency text messaging system
The University tested one component of its comprehensive emergency communication system Nov. 15.
Nearly 11,000 students, staff and faculty who signed up for text messaging notification received a test message on their cellular phones. During the test, the system delivered messages to most recipients within two to seven minutes.
The University has contracted with Rave Wireless Inc. for text alerting. Rave recently formed partnerships with more than a dozen other higher education institutions nationwide, including the University of Colorado-Boulder, the University of Louisville, Kent State University and the University of Wyoming.
“The safety of the entire KU community is a top priority,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. “Every effort is being made to ensure the greatest security levels possible, and effective notification is a key to that safety.”
Other facets of the University’s multi-tiered emergency notification strategy include:
• E-mail alerts: The University has established an emergency broadcast e-mail system to reach approximately 33,000 KU e-mail accounts.
• Simplex public address system: Simplex fire alarms in many campus buildings allow emergency dispatchers in the 911 center to provide real-time voice messages to an individual building, a group of buildings or to all equipped buildings. Currently, 48 buildings, which house a majority of the usable space on the Lawrence campus, are equipped with this system.
• Voice mail: Faculty and staff with voice mail-equipped phones can receive a broadcast voice mail message.
• Web page alerts. The University will use its home page, www.ku.edu, as a central location for information updates. The University also has established protocols to use local media to help inform the public in the event of an ongoing crisis.
KU has spent nearly $650,000 on the emergency notification system, including $32,500 for the Rave Wireless service and more than $600,000 for the Simplex system.
