The sudden outbreak of human "Swine Flu" seems to have public health officials on alert. Right now, it seems to be more seriously internationally than it is here in the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control reporting only 64 confirmed cases here. The World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4, indicating the confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks.” The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.
There is a lot of hype and media coverage over this new illness, leaving people to wonder about their risk of getting the disease and what will happen if they get infected. Right now, we look to media updates from the CDC and local public health agencies to keep us up-to-date on new outbreaks and advise us on appropriate action. This situation calls for broad communication efforts, which can easily be accomplished with Alerts Made Easy.
Having an easy-to-access broadcast communication system in place can reduce the stress of the situation. We are continually being told not to panic, but panic is not always easy to control if you don't have a good way to distribute information effectively. With an emergency broadcast communication system, public health officials can send the appropriate messages at the appropriate time, stemming chaos but keeping possible outbreaks in check by asking citizens to avoid certain places or seek medical help for specific symptoms. The system could also be used to let citizens know when and where to obtain medications that could prevent the flu or lessen its impact.
And should a pandemic really hit the United States, an emergency broadcast system can quickly disseminate information about school, daycare, and business closings, doctor and hospital access, and quarantine information. Let's hope that's not necessary, but AME knows it's always best to be proactive and prepared for whatever emergency is waiting to erupt!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Emergency Text Message System Contributes to Low Crime Rate on TTU Campus
The Herald Citizen in Cooksville, TN, recently reported that the crime rate on the campus of Tennessee Tech University is dropping. TTU Police Chief Gay Shepherd gives the credit to pro-active programs, such as safety awareness programs, and also the campus emergency text message alert system.
"Shepherd said the university's pro-active approach to fighting crime includes the emergency text message alert system which notifies students, employees, and guests of safety concerns or incidents," the article stated.
With an emergency alert system, college and university are always prepared to contact students, faculty, and staff at a moment's notice. And those messages are delivered quickly, allowing recipients to be extra alert and avoid potentially dangerous situations.
When tragedies happen, we always hear that they could have been prevented, if only action would have been taken early. TTU is a great example of a campus taking the proactive approach to prevent crime, and being willing to recognize when students needs to be alerted to danger. AME encourages other organizations and public safety officials to take the proactive approach when it comes to citizen safety.
Contact AME today to find out how easy it is to institute a text message alert system!
"Shepherd said the university's pro-active approach to fighting crime includes the emergency text message alert system which notifies students, employees, and guests of safety concerns or incidents," the article stated.
With an emergency alert system, college and university are always prepared to contact students, faculty, and staff at a moment's notice. And those messages are delivered quickly, allowing recipients to be extra alert and avoid potentially dangerous situations.
When tragedies happen, we always hear that they could have been prevented, if only action would have been taken early. TTU is a great example of a campus taking the proactive approach to prevent crime, and being willing to recognize when students needs to be alerted to danger. AME encourages other organizations and public safety officials to take the proactive approach when it comes to citizen safety.
Contact AME today to find out how easy it is to institute a text message alert system!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Emergency Text Message Notifies Students of Chemical Hazard in Lab
Just this weekend, a chemical spill in the Biology building at the University of Maryland-Baltimore prompted officials to temporarily close 3rd floor of the building. How did they notify students? A simple text message using their emergency text alert message.
In later communications, students were informed that there was a possible chemical hazard in a 3rd floor lab, and as a precautionary measure, the floor was closed. A third text message indicated the building was accessible, but a particular room was still closed. The Maryland Department of the Environment was called in handle the situation.
It may have not been particularly widespread or life-threatening, but the situation was still potentially dangerous. Had students arrived at that building to complete labs or other group exercises, it would have been a inconvenience to find the building closed. With the help of an emergency text message system, the University had the right tools in place to quickly communicate, dispel rumors, answer questions, and notify students of the building's reopening. Having an emergency communications plan in place for even "minor" or isolated emergencies makes handling the situation much easier!
Source: http://www.retrieverweekly.com/blog/2009/04/13/chemical-spill-in-biology-building/
In later communications, students were informed that there was a possible chemical hazard in a 3rd floor lab, and as a precautionary measure, the floor was closed. A third text message indicated the building was accessible, but a particular room was still closed. The Maryland Department of the Environment was called in handle the situation.
It may have not been particularly widespread or life-threatening, but the situation was still potentially dangerous. Had students arrived at that building to complete labs or other group exercises, it would have been a inconvenience to find the building closed. With the help of an emergency text message system, the University had the right tools in place to quickly communicate, dispel rumors, answer questions, and notify students of the building's reopening. Having an emergency communications plan in place for even "minor" or isolated emergencies makes handling the situation much easier!
Source: http://www.retrieverweekly.com/blog/2009/04/13/chemical-spill-in-biology-building/
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