Take Control of Information in an Emergency

A recent article by Dian Schaffhauser on the Campus Technology Web site describes an incident that took place on the Napa Valley Community College campus back in April. Two armed robbers had assaulted a man, stolen a vehicle, and then headed straight for the college campus. Security officials quickly put the campus on lock-down and then used an emergency text message alert system to notify students and staff of the situation. In the end, no one was hurt, the suspects were caught (one in the college library), and the stolen property was recovered.

Some very interesting points were mentioned in the article:

• The college does not give college e-mail accounts, and not all students check e-mail while on campus
• Students who were locked down were communicating with the press on blogs
• Students also used Twitter to communicate with each other and the outside world during the incident

The head of the college's security said they would typically try to limit the information released during such emergencies. But they just couldn't do it. Too many people were able to text and access social networking sites to let others know what was happening. It became clear that the college had to take control of the situation by sending out accurate, rumor-dispelling facts to keep the public aware and alert, but calm.

The lesson of this story is that if YOU don't take the initiative to control the information, others will. There is literally no way to stop people from jumping on Twitter, Facebook, or their blog and to tell everyone online about an emerging incident. Cell phones, iPhones, and Blackberries are everywhere. With an emergency broadcast communications system like Alerts Made Easy in place, you can quickly distribute the right information and show that you are in control, aware, and prepared.

As a result of this incident, the college's security team will likely be monitoring blogs, Twitter feeds, and other sites when future emergencies occur. This way, they can respond to false information in real time and keep the public informed of the threats, or non-threats, that are present.

If you haven't already considered monitoring social networking sites in your emergency communications plan, it's time to do some strategic thinking!

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Alerts Made Easy officially launched last week, and we've been busy getting the word out. If you're in Central Illinois and you've been listening to the radio lately, you may have heard us. Our ads are running about 30 times a day!

Click here to access our Web page where you can hear our radio spots. Then tell us what you think!

Alerts Made Easy Launched Innovative, Web-based Communications System

Springfield, Illinois – June 15, 2009 – Alerts Made Easy^TM (AME) launches the innovative new 4-in1 Web-based communication system that allows users to send broadcast messages via text, e-mail, phone and Web simultaneously, with the click of a mouse.

The one-of-a-kind system, locally-owned and developed by Internet technology experts Michelle Tjelmeland (e-websmart.com and ciafonline.org) and Mark Roberts (goweb1.com), works by sending alerts to four different types of messaging devices: the Web, cell phones and text messaging devices, e-mail accounts, and phones through innovative auto dialer software. AME can also be easily integrated with popular social networking applications, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and most blogs.

Users can send a message to ten people or thousands within minutes, simply by logging into a secure Web-based account. If Internet access is not available, a user also has the option to call AME’s 24/7 concierge and technical support service to have the message sent on their behalf. This service is especially useful in cases of emergencies or natural disasters.

“When we developed Alerts Made Easy we had three main objectives, make it powerful, make it simple, and make it affordable,” says Mark Roberts, co-owner and developer. “We wanted to offer an alerts tool like no other – and one that anybody could use.”

The AME solution is “scalable”, which means that it works just as well for small, independent professionals and soccer coaches as it does for large Fortune 500 companies. Unlike competitor products, which require users to sign up for large annual plans and charge for functionality, whether it’s used or not, AME offers affordable, tiered pricing plans that fit the size and scope of any customer’s needs.

AME customers include day cares, private and public schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, sports teams, restaurants, retail stores, fitness clubs, churches, special interest clubs, small business owners, and large employers.

Co-owner and developer Michelle Tjelmeland says, “Because AME is a Web-based solution, even the most non-technical user can log on and send out a message instantly.”

“In fact,” adds Tjelmeland, “our customers can send their first message within minutes of signing up. There is no equipment to buy and no software to download.”

To get started, users simply go to www.AlertsMadeEasy.com. Upon signing up, users can immediately login, enter their contacts and start sending messages. The system is safe, secure and fully redundant.

To send an instant test message or to learn more about how Alerts Made Easy can simplify the way your business or organization communicates, go to: www.AlertsMadeEasy.com or contact Michelle Tjelmeland at 1-800-605-0082 or info@AlertsMadeEasy.com.

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Emergency Communication Systems Works Perfectly When School Bus Crashed in Chino Valley, AZ

The value of a broadcast emergency communication system was proven once again when a school bus crashed in Chino Valley, AZ earlier this week. Luckily, all injuries were minor and everyone will be okay. Parents were notified of the accident via the school district's emergency notification system and could quickly respond to be with their children. The principal said the system worked perfectly.

Whether you're communicating about an emergency or just have timely messages that need to go out to a group of people, a broadcast communication system like Alerts Made Easy is an invaluable resource. It's an affordable solution that's worth every penny when parents need to know that their kids are safe, and kids need their parents for comfort and security.

You can read the article from the Chino Valley Review here.