Saint Anselm College will enhance its emergency notification system with two new features - a text messaging service and an outdoor siren with a public address system.
The text messaging system will relay emergency notifications through cell phone, wireless PDA, smart phone, land line or e-mail. With this system, the college’s Department of Safety and Security will be able to notify the campus community that an emergency is occurring, provide instructions on how to proceed and announce when an emergency has ended.
This notification system, which should be in place this spring, is in addition to the broadcast voicemail messages and college e-mails that already are part of the college’s emergency communication plan.
For those who are not near a computer or cell phone when a crisis occurs, the college also is installing a siren and public address system. This outdoor system will be capable of alerting people on the quad, athletic fields, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and anywhere else on campus that an emergency is occurring. Through the public address system, college officials can announce instructions and let the campus know when all is clear. This system will be ready by fall.
These measures are part of the college’s ongoing commitment to enhance campus safety and security. In February, a team of consultants conducted a campus threat, vulnerability and risk assessment. Generally speaking, the consultants found that the college does an excellent job of ensuring the safety of those who live, work and visit the campus as well as protecting its physical plant.
Their report is currently under review by the college, as it also reviews and updates the emergency response plan with current best practices in mind.