| Implementing an Emergency Notification System | | | | of contact to ensure that the message is |
| An emergency notification system can be a | | | | delivered successfully. |
| wonderful addition to your business or | | | | How to React to Notification |
| infrastructure, but it won't help you when you | | | | An important part of managing an emergency |
| most need it if it isn't properly implemented and | | | | situation is making sure that your employees don't |
| your employees aren't made familiar with how it | | | | panic, and making them familiar with your |
| works. In order to get the most out of your | | | | emergency notification system will help ensure |
| emergency notification system you need to make | | | | that they know how to react in the event that a |
| sure that your employees are aware that it is in | | | | situation arises and notifications are sent out. |
| place and they should be trained on how to handle | | | | Make sure that your employees know that the |
| notifications that are sent out from the system. | | | | emergency notification system is designed to give |
| As safety and security remain key issues both at | | | | them the relevant information for them at that |
| home and in the workplace, taking the time to | | | | time, and that they should follow any instructions |
| work through these basic steps in properly | | | | given in a calm manner and without panicking or |
| implementing your emergency notification system | | | | making things more chaotic. Unless instructed to |
| can mean the difference between a well-handled | | | | do so, they should refrain from calling in for more |
| emergency and a situation that quickly gets out | | | | information as that may tie up phone lines which |
| of hand. | | | | may be needed for communicating with |
| Methods of Notification | | | | emergency services. |
| Once you have decided on an emergency | | | | Follow-up Notification |
| notification system and have it in place, you | | | | Another key item that your employees should be |
| should take the time to explain to your | | | | made aware of is that many emergency |
| employees the different types of notification that | | | | notification systems contain instructions to send |
| the system will use and in what situations each will | | | | follow-up notifications at regular intervals or as |
| be employed. Many emergency notification | | | | more information is made available. Let them |
| systems will use multiple types of notifications | | | | know that they should read or listen to these |
| which can be directed to either specific members | | | | follow-up messages carefully, as they may |
| of your workforce or everyone who is listed in | | | | contain new or updated information that was not |
| the system; often certain notification types will be | | | | available at the time of the original notification. |
| used for specific individuals while others will be | | | | These follow-up messages will continue for as long |
| broadcast to everyone so as to ensure that all | | | | as new information is added to the system to be |
| are aware of the emergency situation but those | | | | released or until the emergency situation has been |
| who must deal with it directly are given additional | | | | resolved and the system has been reset. It may |
| information. Your emergency notification system | | | | be a good idea to run simulations from time to |
| may employ mass e-mail, recorded telephone | | | | time in which notifications are sent out to your |
| messages, pager calls, or other methods of | | | | employees so that they will have practice in |
| contact. If no answer is received or no response | | | | reacting to them and will know exactly what they |
| is given, it may be set up to try alternate means | | | | should do in the event of an actual emergency. |