Page 72 - Security Today, January/February 2020

Saving Lives
Campus notification systems create the potential to save lives
By Paul Hefty
Emergency Notification
Information is key during a campus emergency. Injuries and damages from events, such as active shooters, fires, chemical spills and severe weather, can soar if a campus lacks a proper emergency notification system (ENS). An ENS cannot elimi- nate risk, but it can warn students and staff, providing them with the up-to-the-minute information they need to best react to dangerous situations. Emergency notification systems are a must- have item for all campuses.
Simultaneously, alerting thousands of people takes a multi-faceted, network-centric approach. Alerts may include text messaging, social media posts and email, along with audio alerts from speakers throughout the facilities. Newer software programs allow these mes- sages to be sent from almost any internet-connected device with the use of encrypted credentials.
Consider these important features, which should be part of any emergency notification system:
• Not only does the messaging need to be redundant, appearing on
multiple channels and platforms, the system itself must reside on
multiple servers in the case of a data center failure.
• The system must be scalable to accommodate growth, both in the
number of participants and physical growth of a facility.
• An ENS must have the ability to quickly and accurately update contact information. There should be portals for students and staff to easily update their data. And that data should be frequently backed up and protected against cyberattacks.
There is no single system that can handle the emergency notifica- tion needs of potentially tens of thousands of people on a campus, spanning hundreds of acres. Before adding or updating an ENS, have an experienced security professional conduct a thorough risk assess- ment. It will help identify the strengths and weaknesses of any cur- rent systems and help to focus spending on those areas where improvement is most needed.
Fire systems. A campus’ fire alarm system can be used for much more than smoke- and fire-related events. These systems are often first in line for alerting people to emergency events using text mes- sages, email blasts, sirens, speakers and strobe lights. The area served by a fire alarm system may encompass a single building or an entire campus.
The National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit organiza- tion, has created more than 300 codes and standards, which are often adopted by states, cities and campuses around the world. The NFPA 72 standard outlines codes for installation, maintenance and testing
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28 campuslifesecurity.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020