Professors and teachers aren't the only ones administering tests these days. Campus and school district safety officials are busy readying for a full range of potential threats to students, faculty and staff. Widely publicized shootings, severe weather and bomb threats have prompted schools to take action. While immediate notification is crucial, warnings must go beyond saying what is going on; alerts must include instructions on what to do, whether to evacuate, find shelter or just stay in place.

Growing numbers of technology providers are addressing these safety and security concerns. But beware of over-simplification. Each situation is unique and must be analyzed, planned and tested. While text messaging might appear to be an excellent choice, research has shown that wireless networks can easily be overwhelmed by broadcast messages. Most researchers agree that redundant warning systems are prudent, including combinations of surveillance cameras, cell phones, television, radio, email, web sites, electronic message boards, public address systems and sirens.

Thanks to the generous support of NetSupport Inc., we are pleased to provide multiple resources to help you address the need for reliable, mass-notification systems for your campus, district or school.

-- The eSchool News Editors

Vigilance Pays Off  – check out the contents of this
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Selected Security Scenarios:

• Questions abound as emergency alert flops – Va Tech officials scramble to discover why text-messaging system failed.

• Federal law could spur campus alert systems colleges are working to upgrade emergency notification, response and evacuation.

• Va Tech installs electronic message boards – 201 devices installed across campus display date and time but, in case of emergency, they give alerts in sync with other systems.

• School community notified with desktop mass-notification alert software – instant alerts can be carried across a dedicated LAN or WAN gateway that is simple to use, fast, reliable and cost-effective.

• Latest trend in school security: Convergence – merging disparate security systems onto a single IP network can improve campus safety and take advantage of an existing IP platform.

• Experts: Plan for disasters before they occur– critical incident plans (CIP) created and tested in advance are key to success when disaster occurs.

• Tech keeps parents abreast of wildfires– standard contact information for parents provides list in case of emergency. See how San Diego school district kept students and parents informed of fire-related school decisions.

Presented with financial support from Netsupport

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