| With safety being the number one priority in | | | | these types of systems hours to notify their |
| today's society, having an emergency notification | | | | subscribers. Also during peak activity (such as in |
| system is a necessity for any single or multiple | | | | emergency situations), phone and computer |
| building campus area. Using older emergency alert | | | | networks are prone to fail and can't be trusted as |
| systems that are based on text and phone | | | | a reliable communication method. |
| messaging is no longer a solution for the following | | | | Recently, many campuses are starting to |
| three main reasons: | | | | implement new emergency communications |
| 1. They can't provide alerts to a specific campus | | | | systems that are based on a network of Public |
| zone, floor or building. Text and phone messaging | | | | Address speakers, alphanumeric LED displays and |
| systems notify subscribers according to | | | | strobe lights. In the event of an emergency |
| pre-defined database lists and have no way to tell | | | | situation, this type of system will instantly issue |
| where each subscriber is at the time of an | | | | audio and visual alerts along with pre-recorded or |
| emergency. For example, during an emergency | | | | 'live voice' instructions which reduces confusion |
| situation in building A, everyone in that building | | | | and injuries. |
| should be informed first and not according to the | | | | One of the most innovative systems offered |
| subscriber list. Alerts and instructions for each | | | | today is a wireless emergency notification system |
| campus building during emergency situations may | | | | that can be installed in any campus facility without |
| be different. For example, people in building A may | | | | the need to run wires, requiring minimal changes |
| be directed to evacuate the building while a | | | | to the existing building structure. This system |
| lockdown is called in all other buildings. | | | | offers a central command station with a |
| 2. They do not comply with the NFPA-72 guide. | | | | dedicated high power transmitter that can |
| The newly published National Fire Protection | | | | wirelessly communicate and control unlimited |
| Association 2010 guide illustrates how an | | | | number of wireless devices such as PA speakers, |
| emergency communication system (ECS) should | | | | strobe lights and LED displays. Each of these |
| be designed and function. According to the guide, | | | | wireless devices can instantly be activated |
| an emergency communication system should | | | | individually or as part of a group (zone) to provide |
| provide area specific information and instructions | | | | area specific voice and visual messaging. The |
| to people in a building, area or site using intelligible | | | | system command station can handle hundreds of |
| voice communication methods and should include | | | | pre-programmed activation scripts to instantly |
| instantaneous visible signals, text and graphics. | | | | respond to a variety of campus emergency |
| 3. They are too slow and use an unreliable | | | | situations. |
| infrastructure for real emergency situations. | | | | When every second counts, these new-age |
| During emergency situations, when every second | | | | wireless emergency notification systems are the |
| counts, a sequential notification method offered | | | | most dependable solution to improve response |
| by text and phone messaging systems is too | | | | time to emergency situations, making campuses a |
| slow. In real time campus-wide tests, it took | | | | safer place. |