Phone alert system now part of UVa-Wise emergency response plans

Emergency preparedness at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise continues to improve with the addition of the AlertNow rapid notification system and other recent preparedness measures.
 
The AlertNow system, which will be implemented this fall, allows thousands of voice messages to be delivered to telephones within minutes, keeping students, faculty and staff informed should an emergency situation arise on campus.
 
System users may select up to five telephone numbers to add to the notification system.  In the event of an emergency, authorized administrators record and send a message by making a phone call to the AlertNow system or by accessing a secure Web site.
 
“The system will be used judiciously,” said Gary Juhan, vice chancellor for administration and chair of the College’s Crisis Management Team. “If the phone rings, it will be something important.”
 
The AlertNow system will be tested on Monday, Sept. 1 in conjunction with a drill of the College’s siren system. In the event the campus siren is activated, those on campus are urged to stay inside rooms and offices and seek additional information from the College’s Emergency Response Web page at www.uvawise.edu/emergency.
 
The UVa-Wise Crisis Management Team was formed in 2007 following the work of an ad hoc emergency preparedness committee appointed the previous year to explore campus preparedness in the case of pandemic flu. The Crisis Management Team was then organized to review current policy and procedure to target areas for improvement in the College’s overall emergency preparedness plans.
 
Thanks to the team’s efforts, the College has signed a mutual aid agreement with Wise County Emergency Services in addition to existing agreements with the town of Wise, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Norton. Other steps taken include:
 

• Established a Crisis Communication Team to help the College respond to emergencies and communicate with the public.
• Conducted a campus risk assessment and categorized potential threats.
• Installed 13 additional surveillance cameras in campus parking lots.
• Arranged for area mental health professionals to provide assistance if needed.
  

Posted August 21, 2008