University advises using cell phones for emergency alerts

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Recent testing has shown that the university’s phone system has had difficulty handling the massive number of phone calls sent through its emergency notification system.

As a result, Steve Smith, director of media relations, advises students to use their cell phones to receive emergency notifications from the now-formally-named Central Alert system.

“We are strongly encouraging people to register their cell phones,” he said. “That seems to be the system that works best.”

Central Alert, developed by National Notification Network (3N), is the university’s system for notifying registered phone numbers – via calls to landlines and text messages to cell phones – and e-mail addresses of campus closings and emergencies.

Smith said testing during the summer has helped to lessen, but not eliminate, the problem.

“We have managed to structure calls so they go out in groups, and that lessens the flooding,” Smith said.

He said the system now calls only key phones within on-campus offices instead of every phone in every office. Calls are automatically cascaded, so they are not all simultaneously sent.

Along with Central Alert, loud speakers have been installed around campus to broadcast alerts and instructions in the event of an emergency.

In the wake of last week’s Clery Act amendments, which require universities to inform campus of emergencies, Central Alert is already paying off, Smith said.

“We are actually well ahead of complying with that law,” he said.

The $22,000-per-year system was put into place in March.

CMU is promoting the system with a number of posters and fliers around campus, encouraging students to register.

“I think it’s the best way (to notify students),” said Hubbardston freshman Taylor McGinn, who is registered for Central Alert. “Even if a student doesn’t have a cell phone, the student next to them probably does.”

Chris Florkowski, a Westland junior who has not yet registered for notifications, remains skeptical of the system’s potential to keep students safe.

“Do I think it’s worth the money? That’s a tough call, until something happens,” Florkowski said. “Testing is different than a real emergency situation.”

Smith said no matter how effective the system becomes, it is still important to communicate with other people.

“People still need to be aware of their surroundings and think for themselves,” Smith said. “Try to spread the word. Don’t assume that everybody knows.”

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