Emergency alert system project update

March 2008 update

Over the course of the past several months the University has been working closely with Wayne County to establish an emergency notification system for the benefit of the UDM community.

In order to ensure the system works properly in an emergency situation, the University has conducted two tests to date and is planning to conduct more in the future.

During the first test, the University was successful in reaching many pagers, cell phones and home phones, but experienced difficulties with several text messaging devices and in reaching people by e-mail.

Modifications were made to UDM's e-mail environment to address the e-mail difficulties and a second test was conducted.

During the second test, the University again had success in reaching many pagers, cell phones and home phones, but experienced further difficulties with several text messaging devices and in reaching people by e-mail.

Utilizing the results of the second test, additional measures are being implemented to accommodate e-mail communication.  Once this is done, another test will be conducted.  UDM will continue to work to enable emergency notifications through e-mail.

Upon the successful completion of the e-mail communications, the University will then address the issues with the select text messaging devices that are not properly working.

The first two tests demonstrated that communications to voice devices such as voice calls to cell phones and home phones come through as quickly as 30 seconds from the moment the message was sent.  Text messages to text pagers and cell phones arrive after approximately 90 seconds.

Based on these results, it is recommended that individuals register their cell phone and text messaging devices for quick notification.  Registering more than one device is permissible and encouraged.  Go to registration instructions.