News Articles
Emergency Initiative Launched
U of G is launching a multi-year initiative to address the need for emergency preparedness and mass communication strategies as an integral part of both emerg- ency and non-emergency planning.
“When a disaster strikes — such as a fire, hazardous weather or an active threat — it's important that students, faculty, staff and visitors are notified and given directions to minimize injuries and the loss of human life,” says Robin Begin, director of Campus Community Police, Fire Prevention and Parking Services.
The campus initiative includes educating the community about the U of G emergency management plan and establishing a mass emergency notification strategy, says Begin. Over the next five years, Campus Community Police will partner with a number of campus departments in co-ordinating and implementing these initiatives, she says.
The first stage of the emergency notification strategy will be implemented this summer. The University's VOIP phone system will enable mass messages to be sent to a defined set of telephones or blanket the entire telephone system.
Begin notes that employees may receive test messages during the summer, but they will be clearly identified as such. In addition, a mass e-mail will give advance notice of the test. Check the U of G Campus Police website at www.police.uoguelph.ca for updates.