Emergency Notification Systems and Crisis Communication – Blog

Traditionally a place of sanctuary, reflection, peace, and safety, houses of worship have  seen an increase in threats and violence in recent years. High-profile attacks at churches, synagogues, and mosques show that these places of worship are not immune from violence and religious leaders and congregants are concerned. Most are increasing security and rethinking entry to ensure their religious communities feel safe and secure.

Recent reports about mold in residence halls and the spread of viruses among students are an important reminder that threats to campus safety can be biological and may trigger the Jeanne Clery Act’s emergency notification requirement just like a criminal or environmental threat would. Effective compliance with Clery in these situations requires open communication among various departments on campus – including residence life, the health center, and campus public safety – to identify potential threats and then issue notifications. This should be bolstered with both policies and good relationships.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities are anchor institutions in our communities when it comes to safety and well-being during a time of crisis. They play a major role in most emergencies that happen — environmental incidents, vehicular accidents, infrastructure disasters, and active intruder or shooter tragedies. Because of the role they play in emergencies, they themselves must be even more prepared for emergencies that might happen at their facilities. Not only must they inform and guide the patients who visit these type of facilities, but the doctors and nurses, workers, and visitors inside must also be made aware and prepared for what to do next. No one day is the same and no one individual is the same who enters, so these centers must be ready for anything that comes their way. Ensuring they keep everyone safe means informing their constituents of an emergency and what guidance to follow if there is one.

There’s no sugar-coating the fact that this past winter has been a very harsh one. Much of the U.S. experienced more snow and ice than it had in years. With this severe weather came school and work closures; as well as, public transportation delays and shutdowns. On top of that, many roadside accidents. This winter 24% of all roadside accidents were related to snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. It’s no surprise that we all welcomed the first day of Spring with open arms - in search of sunshine, warm weather, and the promise of blooming flowers.

Corporate enterprises take many forms, including retail, distribution, insurance, banking, tourism, and hospitality venues. Each brings its own complexities, operational goals and challenges, and moral obligations to the table. Regardless of the genre of these enterprises, the goal of each should be the safety of their people and the mitigation of risk to their property.

Communication and information are essential tools in getting people to safety and minimizing the impacts of emergency situations. The reliability, speed, and accuracy of information are vital components in determining the effectiveness of communications. Crises like an unplanned outage, active shooter, or inclement weather all require the dissemination of accurate information at a moment’s notice. The success of your emergency response depends heavily on your preparation. If you have planned correctly, the execution of your response will be quick with minimal chance for error.