What types of solutions should campuses consider for emergency notification?
SOLUTION: For outdoor use, fixed or mobile units of mass notification technologies are available. They use powerful speakers to send warning messages up to a quarter mile away. For indoor areas, such as classrooms or dormitories, a public address system can notify students of a potential danger. Systems with two-way intercoms allow those closest to the situation to provide upto- the-minute information to authorities. Computer-based systems can transmit vital information to mobile phones, laptops or PDAs via e-mail, text messages or voicemail. Messages are more detailed than those provided by a loudspeaker system and include specific instructions. Messages also can be sent to commuters to advise them to stay away from campus. The speed of notification is extremely important in an emergency, and text messages can warn the campus community of a situation in a timely manner. Campus emergencies may be unpredictable, but what can be anticipated is the response to the emergency. Talk to an ex
