Alert FM allows authorized personnel to create and send alerts and messages to specific groups of first responders, students or campus buildings before, during and after a crisis. Targeted alerts and messages are delivered by satellite to FM transmission towers and can be received on special receivers, wall units and other mobile devices, including PDAs, cell phones and other specialized receivers equipped with FM chips.
The new system uses a pre-existing network of FM towers, which in turn provides overlapping coverage of an area. George Mason University will be initially covered by local FM station WETA (90.9) in Washington, D.C. This ensures distribution over a large geographical "footprint," having the potential to reach more than 30,000 students and faculty at George Mason University.
"George Mason University already had SMS and e-mail emergency notification in place, but we were looking for multiple layers due to the vulnerability of SMS and e-mail," said Keith Bushey, George Mason vice president of special projects. "The Alert FM system was affordable and provided an infrastructure that was already in place -- taking a burden off of us. We're in total control -- even down to registering and programming the receivers for the end user."
To further strengthen emergency communication on the campus, George Mason University has also purchased Alert FM receivers, USB receivers and wall receivers. The Alert FM receivers and USB receivers are portable devices that are capable of receiving emergency alerts and messages. The wall receivers are designed for stationary mount in public locations, such as libraries, dormitories or classroom hallways.
"We plan to distribute receivers to the on-campus community first, including resident advisors and directors," Bushey said. "Alert FM is the best available solution to keeping our campus safe, including the 5,000 students who live on campus."
