The University of Denver activated the Critical Incident Notification System, a new emergency alert system which notifies students by voice mail, e-mail and text messaging.
“The benefit of having an emergency notification system called Critical Incident Management Notification or CINS, is knowing that we now have the latest technology in place to assist us in communicating urgent messages to our diversified community at DU, in which a multi-faceted approach to emergency notification is necessary,” said Director of Risk Management Ellen Shrew Holland.
Select members of the Critical Incident Response Team decide when to activate the system through a computer or phone. Emergency notifications will contain general information about specific events.
Everyone with a DU e-mail address will automatically receive notifications by e-mail. Students must register through WebCentral to receive both text messages and voice mails. The registration is optional. However, students are strongly urged to participate. Graduate student Joe Moerke says although he feels safe on campus, he believes the system is a good idea.
“I always carry my Blackberry with me, so I think it’s a good way to contact people,” said Moerke.
The new notification system is part of DU’s Critical Incident Management Plan which documents the prevention, preparation, and resolution of critical incidents on campus. The CINS is one of many emergency alert systems available at DU. Other emergency alert procedures utilize blue light phones, Web-blast e-mail and fire alarms.
Although DU had been researching alert systems since 2006, the Virginia Tech tragedy emphasized the need for implementing the system by exposing potential difficulties in contacting the student body on campus during an emergency.
The university selected a vendor for the system during the summer 2007. Details about the contract, including the vendor’s name and how much the system cost are not being disclosed. Similar system such as the RAVE system used by CU-Boulder are estimated to cost around $18,000 for a one-year contract, but not including specific text message fees.
Students must pay for individual text messages which vary according to cell phone plans and carriers. They have the option of selecting to receive urgent notification text messages, DU general text messages, or both. The urgent notification text system will inform students in case of a campus emergency or closure. It will be tested a minimum of three times throughout the year. Students that sign up for the general text message system will be notified of building and class closures.
DU is one of many colleges that have implemented new notification systems incorporating multiple forms of communication. In August, both the University of Colorado and Colorado State University announced they were testing similar programs. Other colleges that have notification systems with e-mail and text messaging include Harvard, Emory and Xavier University.
To register for the Critical Incident Notification System students should visit MyWeb located through WebCentral. For more information on the CINS go to www.du.edu/risk.
