‘This is only a test’

Survey to measure effectiveness of Sunday’s alert system test

By Caroline Cournoyer, staff writer
Posted on September 20, 2007

Horns honked, sirens sounded and cell phones vibrated last Sunday, as JMU’s department of public safety tested out the new Madison Alert System.

At three o’ clock sharp, JMU students, faculty and staff were notified of a mock emergency in three different ways. A blast email was sent out to the entire JMU network, a message was broadcast across the PA system along with the use of horns and warning sirens, and students who signed up on e-campus and faculty on J-ESS received either a text message or voicemail via their cell phone.

“The purpose of this test was to ensure that each system worked properly and provide the students an opportunity to learn how the system works,” Director of Public Affairs and University Spokesperson Don Egle said.

As of last week, approximately 6,000 students, faculty and staff had signed up to receive either the emergency text message or voicemail, according to Egle.

“Following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, JMU committed itself to taking a fresh review of its emergency policies and procedures as well as its communication methods,” Egle said.

This past summer, the JMU Emergency Response and Recovery Team met once every two weeks to come up with the updated emergency notification and communication system, Egle said.

Some students thought that the most effective of the three methods is the siren and PA system because of its immediacy.

“Wherever you are, you can hear it,” sophomore IDLS major Lauren Mattson. 

“You have to be at the computer to get your e-mail,” she said. “If something happened, we would know immediately so we could act accordingly to prepare for danger.”

Sophomore health sciences major Christina Tuliszka agreed that the siren will reach the most people but questioned the effectiveness of the notification.

“When that goes off, we don’t know exactly what the situation is,” she said.  “We all know something is wrong, but what?”

JMU plans to take everyone’s reactions to the test into consideration.

“The university plans on sending a survey to the JMU community,” Egle said.  “Most likely this week as a follow-up and based on the feedback received, appropriate adjustments will be made.”

The JMU Police Department will decide when to use the Madison Alert System, as well as what information is released.

Prior to the Virginia Tech tragedy, JMU’s comprehensive safety plan had been used nationally by over 400 organizations, according to Egle.

“Safety is a priority of the university and the university is committed to the safety and well being of its students, faculty, staff and campus visitors,” he said. “The reason why these systems are important is they add to the university’s ability to ensure a safer campus.”

According to Egle, most of the Madison Alert System is ready to use. Following the survey, the Emergency Response and Recovery team will make adjustments accordingly and may run another test in order to guarantee that the university is utilizing their capabilities to provide the safest campus possible.