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Virginia Tech Expands Emergency Notification
6/22/2007
Virginia Tech this week reported that it's expanding its emergency notification system "significantly," launching the new VT Alerts system July 2. The campus has also announced the appointment of John Beach as interim director of emergency management effective immediately.New VT Alerts To Be Fully Functional by Aug. 20
On the emergency notification front, VT has has come to an agreement with National Notification Network (3n) for an expansion of its communications capabilities "that will significantly expand the university's ability to send critical news and information to the university community during campus emergencies," according to a report on the university's website.
The 3n technologies, along with other communications tools, will become part of the new VT Alerts system, which will become available to staff and students, who can sign up for various alert options, beginning July 2. It's expected to be fully functional by Aug. 20.
According to a release issued by Virginia Tech, "3n's technology will enable the university to send messages to students, faculty, and staff using methods and media not maintained by the university, such as text messages to personal cell phones, instant messages via systems maintained by America Online (AOL), Yahoo, or MSN, and phone calls and e-mails to numbers and mailboxes that reside outside the university's network." Subscribers will also be able to create contact lists in the system's preferences.
"We began the process of adding to and enhancing our already robust emergency notification system last fall, and we were in the final stages of selecting a vendor when the tragic events of April 16 occurred," said Larry Hincker, associate vice president for university relations, in a prepared statement. "The 3n InstaCom Campus Alert system is a sophisticated tool that is easy to use. I believe it can only further benefit our students, faculty, and staff."
The campus also offers emergency communications via its website, a phone alert system, and e-mail alerts. An emergency hotline is also available.
New Interim Emergency Management Director
In addition to implementing a new emergency alert system, VT has also announced the appointment of John Beach, VT's director of physical plant operations, as interim director of emergency management. The appointment is effective immediately.
According to the university, "Prior to April 16, Virginia Tech was in the process of conducting a search of a director of emergency management," said Virginia Tech Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer James A. Hyatt, who made the announcement Wednesday. "This search will continue and a permanent director is expected to be named in the early fall. Until that time, Beach will serve as the interim director of emergency management and will also continue to serve as the director of physical plant, a role he performs in an extraordinary capacity."
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