The $114,000 siren/public announcement system has been planned since November 2006 but was expedited in the spring after the Virginia Tech student shooting rampage that left 32 students and faculty dead.
In reviewing emergency situations at universities nationwide, WSU emergency, communication and administration officials pointed to the need for an alert system that can reach campuswide in minutes but doesn’t depend on the Internet or phones. A siren/speaker system became a priority.
Where and how loud
The WSU siren/speakers are rated at 115 decibels each, said Bob Huhta, facilities project officer and senior electrical engineer. By comparison, a jet engine revving 100 meters away is rated at 110-140 dB.
Speakers have been installed on Webster, Carpenter, Holland Library, Plant Bioscience 1 and Central Stores to ensure campuswide coverage. Manufacturer Acoustic Technology Inc. Systems of East Boston, Mass., planned to test and commission the system this week, said Clyde Wilhelm, project manager, Facilities Operations.
Live or preprogrammed
Depending upon the situation, university officials could make announcements through the speakers or activate one of a series of preprogrammed announcements.
“People who are indoors likely will hear the sirens but may not understand the message that follows,” said Chris Tapfer, emergency management coordinator. “Ultimately, when the sirens and announcements go off, we want everyone to get into the habit of seeking shelter and getting more information.”
The primary source for detailed updates is WSU Alert ONLINE @
www.alert.wsu.edu
.
Automatic message broadcasting
WSU is reviewing bids from approximately 13 companies for a multilevel ENS that will be housed in a remote location. WSU will contract annually to provide the service.
ENS messages would be sent to students, faculty and staff based on the primary emergency contact method and information they have provided.
“All emergency contact information will be saved into a database that is proprietary and highly protected,” Tapfer said. “The information will not be used by the university except for emergency messaging purposes.
– – – – – – – – –
Update your emergency contact information
“WSU takes the safety and security of its students, faculty and staff very seriously,” said Chris Tapfer, emergency management coordinator.
To aid emergency preparedness, WSU community members are asked to provide or update their contact information via an online form on the myWSU portal. To register your information, go ONLINE @
www.wsu.edu
, click on the myWSU link, scroll down to “Emergency Notification” and click on “Register.”
