Emergency Communications
There are many ways that an administrative or security staff can communicate throughout a facility. A Mass or Crisis Notification system is not simply a phone system throughout a facility installed for day-to-day communications. Understanding the differences and application is fundamental for design and implementation of a master plan. An emergency communications system has specific features that allow for communications to a designated area or an entire facility during crisis situations. In many cases, emergency communications system capabilities include: graphical user interface, live and pre-recorded paging, hands free intercom, dedicated emergency call switches, remote system access, automatic off-site notification, emergency tones and visual displays.
There are many types of events that can cause certain elements of an emergency plan to go into effect. Those include: tornado/weather alerts, child abduction/non-custodial parents, bomb threats, armed intruder/hostage situations, chemical spill and the facility used as an emergency shelter. Whether its lockdown, lockout, or evacuation, the time to develop a plan is before an emergency event, not after it has already happened. Emergency communications is quickly emerging on the regulatory landscape as a new standard in building design. Several organizations are providing guidance and standards relating to emergency communications to help authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ’s), engineers, building owners and contractors adopt the new standards.
Mass Notification A-Z
UCLA Campus Mass Warning System Policy & Procedures
MNEC Backgrounder 2 historical context
NFPA 72, 2010 Edition includes requirements for emergency communications
MNEC Backgrounder 3 UL 2572
Legislative Perspective
Fire Alarm Systems for Mass Notification
Communications Systems For Life Safety in Schools, NEMA Standard SB 40
Department of Education, Guide for Emergency Management for Higher Education
Department of Education, Guide to Crisis Planning
Campus Safety: Mass Notification Systems 2009 Cheat Sheet
Campus Safety: Integrating Mass Notification with EVAC
Mass Notification
GE Security/EST3 Mass Notification and Event Management
Crisis Notification
H.R. 2187 "21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act"
U.S. Department of Education Awards Higher Education Grants for Emergency Management Plans
2009 Emergency Communications Grants for State University System of Florida and Florida Community College Campuses
