Be Clear with Alert Notification Messaging

When looking to enhance the notification system at University of Rhode Island, its emergency management director and assistant director of public safety, Samuel Adams, relied on layering in redundancy.  

While URI students and employees are automatically subscribed to URI Alert – serving emergency notifications via text message, email, and phone – visitors and guests not subscribed were not receiving notifications. 

Now, with a digital screen takeover solution, notifications reach more people and places on campus. “We’re layering different technologies to reach people in different ways,” Adams says. 

FacilitiesNet Recommends: Safety Through Redundancy: Expanding Emergency Alerts on Campus

Reaching more people is part of the challenge. Another is providing clear messaging.  

FEMA, with its IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) communication, can be used by higher education institutions and others to send geo-targeted alerts to mobile devices. It lists these among best practices when sending a mass notification. 

• Use clear language: Use plain language that is instructive to a variety of recipients. Don’t include jargon, technical terms, acronyms, or unfamiliar concepts. 
• Add certainty: Use authoritative language about the topic. Relay as much certainty about any threats or actions. 
• Be specific: Include details about next steps or instructions. Being specific offers information for decision-making.  
• Be consistent: Ensure messaging internally and externally is consistent, across platforms and methods of receiving information.  

Valerie Dennis Craven is a freelance writer based in Plymouth, Minnesota. 

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