Alertus Blog
One of Alertus’ most frequently requested and utilized emergency notification tools is our software that can override computer screens with a message in the event of an emergency, known as the Alertus Desktop Notification. Most of our customers are familiar with this solution, but many end users might not be aware of the full breadth of features available.
The term severe storm encompasses numerous types of dangerous weather that both emergency management professionals and citizens must prepare for. Today marks the first day of Severe Storms Awareness Week in Maryland, where we are no stranger to tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, hail storms, ice storms, and much more. Regardless of your location and the storms common to your region, below are some proposed steps to prepare your facility for any severe storm.
On Saturday morning, January 13, 2018, Hawaiian residents received a frightening statewide alert about a ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii on their phones, radios, and televisions. This alert sent widespread panic throughout the islands as residents and visitors scrambled to find safety and feared that this would be the end, only to later find out it was a false alarm. Multiple news outlets have covered the story, and phrases like “inexcusable human error” and “lack of reasonable safeguards” are being thrown around. However as we wait for the full report to be released, there are several takeaways that we can look at already.
This release features our brand new Alertus Chromebook Notification solution—the first notification solution of its kind for Google Chromebooks. Built specifically for use by Chrome devices, this quarter-screen pop-up notification delivers critical information quickly to all subscribers, providing yet another effective layer of notification coverage as part of the Alertus Mass Notification System.
Alert Beacons are a compact, high-impact audible-visual alerting device that can be easily mounted on a wall to deliver critical emergency communications to everyone in the vicinity.Alert Beacons are ideal for retrofitting buildings without an existing notification system with an affordable option, where installing a PA system is impractical or cost-prohibitive.
The Alertus Webinar Series brought together three of healthcare’s top emergency management personnel for, “Best Practices for Emergency Communication in Healthcare.” These experts talked about their experiences, best practices, and tips on how to effectively facilitate emergency notification in healthcare facilities.
“I just want to thank all of you. I didn’t realize how much was going on every day to keep us safe, to keep my children safe,” proclaimed a gratified seminar goer to the room. We all quickly agreed as the morning had been filled with discussion and collaboration regarding all aspects of emergency preparedness and management at the Emergency Preparedness Seminar, hosted by Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary last week.
As we saw with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, these mega-storms are to be taken seriously the moment they pose the slightest threat to land. I felt Irma's impact being a resident of Central Florida. But, if there is a tiny silver lining when dealing with an approaching hurricane, it’s that there is usually time to prepare whether it's boarding up your home, gathering needed supplies, or preparing to evacuate.
With students returning to class this week, school administrators and safety personnel return to their responsibility of keeping them safe during any emergency situation. Fortunately, most schools are ready by having emergency preparedness plans in place that include some method of emergency mass communication.
Alertus is making preparations for ASIS 2017 to exhibit our emergency notification solutions to the more than 22,000 security and IT management professionals from various industries expected to attend. Alertus will be located at Booth 2246.
A recent article in “Recode,” a tech news publication, details a current debate between the Federal Communications Commission and wireless carriers regarding emergency alerts that first responders around the country are able to send to smartphones.
With most people carrying smart phones and tablets with them at all times, many organizations incorporated these devices into their emergency communications efforts as a means to reach people in the event of a crisis. Alertus’ mobile phone apps offers any organization enhanced personal notification between authorized dispatchers and end users.
