Emergency Notification System: Difference between revisions

From Appalachian State University Policy Manual
 
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Policy 302.7
University Policy 302.7
== Introduction ==
1.1 Appalachian State University (“University” or “Appalachian”) has an Emergency Notification System (“ENS”) with multi-channel capabilities. Appalachian’s ENS is intended to rapidly disseminate emergency information on an incident, and provide instructions to the Appalachian campus population in Boone, North Carolina. This policy outlines the emergency notification process and organization.
1.2 This policy does not address Clery Act timely warning notifications.


1.3 The purpose of this policy is to establish the process for activating the Appalachian ENS protocols when a threat or emergency situation is reported to the University Police Department ( “PD”) or to another Responsible University Authority operating within their direct area of responsibility and directly involved with the emergency response for a safety or security incident at Appalachian. Authorizing decision making at the operational response level enables Appalachian to disseminate rapid and responsible emergency information to the campus population.
== 1. Purpose ==


== Scope ==
1.1 Appalachian State University (“University” or “Appalachian”) has an Emergency Notification System (ENS) with multi-channel capabilities. The ENS is designed to rapidly disseminate emergency information regarding campus incidents and provide instructions to the campus community.
2.1 This policy applies to all staff identified as a Responsible University Authority for the purposes of emergency notification and all staff responsible for notification or support of the emergency notification system.


== Definitions  ==
== 2. Scope ==


=== AppState-ALERT ===
2.1 This policy applies to all University faculty, staff, and students.
:the common title of Appalachian State University’s emergency notification system.  


=== Emergency Notification ===
2.2 This policy only applies to designated campus locations in Boone and Hickory.
:procedures to notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff occurring on the campus.


=== Desktop Alerts ===
2.3 This policy does not address Clery Act timely warning notifications.
:automated messages that override the computer user’s screen with an emergency message that requires acknowledgement. Message is only delivered to university-owned computers (not Macs) that are logged in to the campus network.
=== Outdoor Warning Sirens ===
:outdoor system which utilizes a series of multiple sirens that are capable of producing audible signals to warn persons of a threat while outdoors.


=== Responsible University Authority ===
== 3. Definitions ==
:University officials who are directly involved with emergency response for safety‐and‐security incidents at the University . A Responsible University Authority is limited to issuing an alert in response to an incident or event within that official’s direct area of responsibility (as defined by agency/office mission and/or position description).
=== Short Message Service (“SMS”) ===
:a service that  allows for short text messages to be sent from one cell phone to another cell phone or from the web to a cell phone.


== Policy and Procedure Statements  ==
'''3.1 AppState-ALERT''' – The common title of the University’s ENS.
=== Training and Exercising ===
4.1.1 Training and exercising are essential to demonstrating and improving the ability of Appalachian to execute its ENS protocols, and the most effective methods for implementing ENS. Periodic exercising also helps ensure that equipment and procedures are maintained in a constant state of readiness. Testing Appalachian ENS technology may help identify issues and determine functionality before an emergency occurs.


4.1.2 Staff with responsibilities in the ENS will receive an initial training on the ENS protocols and process. University executives will be briefed on the ENS. On an ongoing basis, staff and leadership will be trained and exercised on the ENS and will be informed when ENS protocols or system characteristics or capabilities are updated.
'''3.2 Campus''' – For the purposes of this policy, campus refers to any of the following locations: the primary geographic boundaries of university academic and support properties located in Boone, N.C., the primary App State Hickory facility located at 800 17th St NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601, and the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies located in Hickory, N.C.


4.1.3 Appalachian recognizes that trained staff may not be available in an emergency to perform their functions under the ENS protocols and has committed to cross-training staff on responsibilities. New staff with ENS roles will be trained on the system and protocols as they assume their positions.
'''3.3 Campus Emergency''' – A confirmed situation that presents, or has the potential to present, an immediate and ongoing threat to the health and safety of the immediate campus community.


=== Operational Guidelines ===
'''3.4 Responsible University Authority''' – A University official directly involved with emergency response for safety‐and‐security incidents that has been delegated authority by the to approve and issue emergency alert messages.
==== Purpose and Authority of the Emergency Notification System ====


4.2.1.1 This policy provides operational guidelines for issuing emergency messages via ENS.  
'''3.5 System User''' – A trained university official who is approved to issue emergency alerts once authorized by a Responsible University Authority.


4.2.1.2 This policy is integrated with and supplements the University’s Emergency Operations Plan (“EOP”).
== 4. Policy Statements ==


4.2.1.3 The PD shall maintain an internal policy for activation of ENS components and that policy shall supplement these policies.
'''4.1 Emergency Notification System Registration'''


4.2.1.4 This policy is consistent with the safety and security policies of the University, and has
4.1.1 University-assigned email addresses are automatically registered with AppState-ALERT with limited exceptions.
been approved by the University Safety and Security Council, which is co-chaired by the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs and Vice Chancellor for Student Development.


4.1.2 Emergency text message alerts and emergency alert phone call alerts are considered “opt-in” and require students, faculty, and staff to register their phone numbers in the AppState-ALERT system.


'''4.2 Operational Guidelines'''


4.2.1 Purpose of the University ENS
4.2.1 Responsible university authorities (RUA) have been delegated the authority to issue emergency alerts. RUAs are listed by position in <em>the Appalachian State University Emergency Notification System Standard Operating Procedures</em>.
The purpose of the ENS is to authorize and issue safety and security warning notifications to the Appalachian campus population in an emergency or when specific actions must be taken to maintain safety and security on campus.


4.2.2 Responsible University Authorities
4.2.2 Activation
The following University officials have been assigned the authority by the Chancellor of the
University to authorize emergency notifications to provide alerts, warnings and safety or protection instructions:


a. Director of Public Safety and Risk Management / University Police Chief
:4.2.2.1 Appalachian will immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a campus emergency; the University, acting as quickly as circumstances reasonably allow and taking into account the safety of the community and the need to provide accurate information, will determine the content of the message and initiate the notification system.
b. Police Patrol Commander
:4.2.2.2 This process will be followed unless, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, issuing a notification will compromise efforts to assist a victim, contain the emergency, respond to the emergency, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
c. Police Investigations Commander
:4.2.2.3 Responsible University Authorities will assign System User within their respective areas who are charged with issuing emergency alerts once authorization is provided.
d. Police Support Services Manager
e. Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management


These positions are collectively referred to as “Responsible University Authorities” for the purposes of this policy.
4.2.3 Testing & Training


At all times in this policy, reference to any position at the University shall include designees of the referenced position.
:4.2.3.1 Testing and training processes will follow the proscribed procedures outlined in the Emergency Notification System Standard Operating Procedures.


4.2.3 Initial Activation
'''4.3 Emergency Notification System Implementation'''
The process for activating the ENS protocols begins when a threat or emergency situation is reported to the PD. For confirmed threats or emergency situations that require immediate or urgent notification, the Responsible University Authority will authorize the emergency notification based on the operational guidelines in this policy.


It should be noted that, for the majority of emergency threats and incidents on the Appalachian campus, the first notice of the situation will be via an incoming call to the PD telecommunications center, either directly from the reporting party or Boone Police Department Telecommunications Center. If the Responsible University Authority is not already aware of the situation, the University Police Telecommunications Center shall notify one of the Responsible University Authorities in accordance with internal PD policy.
4.3.1 The Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management shall be responsible for the overall implementation and readiness of the campus emergency notification system to include oversight of this Policy, ENS access, and training of Responsible University Authorities.


== Additional References ==
== Additional Resources ==


== Authority ==
App State Emergency Notification System Standard Operating Procedures (to be linked)


[https://emergency.appstate.edu/ Emergency Preparedness Information]


== Contact Information ==
[https://police.appstate.edu/sites/default/files/2010CleryUpdate09162011.pdf Campus Security and Fire Safety Annual Report and Policy]


Statutes


== Effective Date ==
The UNC Policy Manual, Chapter 100.1, The Code, Section 502.


== Revision Dates ==
Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Title II, Public Law 101-542) as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (specifically, 20 U.S.C. Section 1092(f)(1)(J)).
 
== Administrative Unit Contact ==
 
Director, Department Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency<br>
[https://appsafety.appstate.edu/contact Web Link]<br>
Phone Number Management at 828-262-8081.
 
== History ==
 
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 2012.
 
REVISION DATES:
February 17, 2025
 
[[Category:Contents]]
[[Category:Public_Safety]]
[[Category:Emergency Management]]

Latest revision as of 15:40, 19 February 2025

University Policy 302.7

1. Purpose

1.1 Appalachian State University (“University” or “Appalachian”) has an Emergency Notification System (ENS) with multi-channel capabilities. The ENS is designed to rapidly disseminate emergency information regarding campus incidents and provide instructions to the campus community.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to all University faculty, staff, and students.

2.2 This policy only applies to designated campus locations in Boone and Hickory.

2.3 This policy does not address Clery Act timely warning notifications.

3. Definitions

3.1 AppState-ALERT – The common title of the University’s ENS.

3.2 Campus – For the purposes of this policy, campus refers to any of the following locations: the primary geographic boundaries of university academic and support properties located in Boone, N.C., the primary App State Hickory facility located at 800 17th St NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601, and the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies located in Hickory, N.C.

3.3 Campus Emergency – A confirmed situation that presents, or has the potential to present, an immediate and ongoing threat to the health and safety of the immediate campus community.

3.4 Responsible University Authority – A University official directly involved with emergency response for safety‐and‐security incidents that has been delegated authority by the to approve and issue emergency alert messages.

3.5 System User – A trained university official who is approved to issue emergency alerts once authorized by a Responsible University Authority.

4. Policy Statements

4.1 Emergency Notification System Registration

4.1.1 University-assigned email addresses are automatically registered with AppState-ALERT with limited exceptions.

4.1.2 Emergency text message alerts and emergency alert phone call alerts are considered “opt-in” and require students, faculty, and staff to register their phone numbers in the AppState-ALERT system.

4.2 Operational Guidelines

4.2.1 Responsible university authorities (RUA) have been delegated the authority to issue emergency alerts. RUAs are listed by position in the Appalachian State University Emergency Notification System Standard Operating Procedures.

4.2.2 Activation

4.2.2.1 Appalachian will immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a campus emergency; the University, acting as quickly as circumstances reasonably allow and taking into account the safety of the community and the need to provide accurate information, will determine the content of the message and initiate the notification system.
4.2.2.2 This process will be followed unless, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, issuing a notification will compromise efforts to assist a victim, contain the emergency, respond to the emergency, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
4.2.2.3 Responsible University Authorities will assign System User within their respective areas who are charged with issuing emergency alerts once authorization is provided.

4.2.3 Testing & Training

4.2.3.1 Testing and training processes will follow the proscribed procedures outlined in the Emergency Notification System Standard Operating Procedures.

4.3 Emergency Notification System Implementation

4.3.1 The Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management shall be responsible for the overall implementation and readiness of the campus emergency notification system to include oversight of this Policy, ENS access, and training of Responsible University Authorities.

Additional Resources

App State Emergency Notification System Standard Operating Procedures (to be linked)

Emergency Preparedness Information

Campus Security and Fire Safety Annual Report and Policy

Statutes

The UNC Policy Manual, Chapter 100.1, The Code, Section 502.

Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Title II, Public Law 101-542) as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (specifically, 20 U.S.C. Section 1092(f)(1)(J)).

Administrative Unit Contact

Director, Department Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency
Web Link
Phone Number Management at 828-262-8081.

History

ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 2012.

REVISION DATES: February 17, 2025

Retrieved from "https://policy.appstate.edu/index.php?title=Emergency_Notification_System&oldid=26537"