Michigan State University is now using two more key platforms to provide community information during emergencies: a new system to more quickly alert campus of an emergency and a new web page that helps the Spartan community prepare for different types of crises.
The One-Button System is an enhancement to the current alert and notification system allowing the MSU Police Department to send phone, email, text and Facebook messages within minutes of certain emergencies. The police department can now use buttons programmed to send immediate messages for notification during key emergencies, such as an active violence shooting, weather warnings and directives to evacuate campus. MSU is the fourth institution in the nation to use the system.
At 10 a.m. Monday, a test message will be launched to all devices in the Blackboard ConnectED system. The test will consist of an automated voice message and written messages that state: “This is a test of the MSU One Button Emergency Alerting System for MSU campuses. This is only a test.”
The second new platform, ReadyState, is a webpage that allows the user to access important emergency preparedness information. It outlines actions to take in the event of emergencies such as active violence/shooting, fire, severe weather, hazardous material release, flooding, medical emergency, behavioral threat, power outage, transportation accident and criminal activity. To access the site, go to readystate.police.msu.edu.
“The two new platforms are yet another way MSU continues to improve the ability to provide important information to the community in a very quick format until a more detailed message can be crafted,” said Capt. Penny Fischer, who leads MSU Police's Emergency Management Unit. “It increases our capability to provide critical information for people experiencing a variety of emergencies.”