Spring Break
Emergency alarm system will soon be installed on campus
Nick Bruno
Issue date: 9/10/08 Section: News
A new emergency alert system will soon be installed on campus in an effort to notify students and visitors of any kind of crisis situation.
The new system will consist of several loudspeakers placed in various locations throughout the campus.
University Police Chief Matt Kiederlen said the idea is to let people know of an emergency as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
"Eventually, the intent is to put [the loudspeakers] in any place where people will be," Kiederlen said.
Kiederlen said sirens are currently in place on the campus but may not be powerful enough to be heard at all locations. The speakers will be louder.
The new system will not only be louder, but also will have messages specific to the situation.
An example of a message could be, "We have a tornado warning, seek shelter."
"This is better because it gives the information in a way that allows people to take action as quickly as possible," Kiederlen said.
Several people have suggested text messaging as an alternative emergency alert system, Kiederlen said. But this system would not be the best option.
"Text messaging is based on the cell system," he said. "The cell phone system can only take so much traffic before it basically bogs down."
Many students said they think the loudspeakers will increase their confidence in the security on campus.
"It definitely makes me feel safer knowing we will be able to hear the emergency speakers loud and clear," sophomore Grant Karas said.
Kiederlen said installation of the loudspeakers will begin as soon as the vendor ships the equipment to the university.
The new system will consist of several loudspeakers placed in various locations throughout the campus.
University Police Chief Matt Kiederlen said the idea is to let people know of an emergency as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
"Eventually, the intent is to put [the loudspeakers] in any place where people will be," Kiederlen said.
Kiederlen said sirens are currently in place on the campus but may not be powerful enough to be heard at all locations. The speakers will be louder.
The new system will not only be louder, but also will have messages specific to the situation.
An example of a message could be, "We have a tornado warning, seek shelter."
"This is better because it gives the information in a way that allows people to take action as quickly as possible," Kiederlen said.
Several people have suggested text messaging as an alternative emergency alert system, Kiederlen said. But this system would not be the best option.
"Text messaging is based on the cell system," he said. "The cell phone system can only take so much traffic before it basically bogs down."
Many students said they think the loudspeakers will increase their confidence in the security on campus.
"It definitely makes me feel safer knowing we will be able to hear the emergency speakers loud and clear," sophomore Grant Karas said.
Kiederlen said installation of the loudspeakers will begin as soon as the vendor ships the equipment to the university.
Be the first to comment on this story