NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
3/6/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - A new emergency alert system is available at Northwestern State University. The system will be operated by FirstCall Interactive Systems of Baton Rouge and will include notification by text messaging, e-mail and calls to campus landlines.
“One of our top priorities is to provide a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff and campus visitors,” said Northwestern President Dr. Randall J. Webb. “This system will provide us with multiple methods to send emergency messages to the campus community quickly.”
The system was initiated by the State Board of Regents and supported by the University of Louisiana System.
Northwestern students, faculty and staff can sign up for the system, which will be called “Purple Alert” by going to http://www.nsula.edu/purplealert. There is no charge to sign up for the emergency alert system. Those without unlimited text messaging may be charged for receiving a notification. Students, faculty and staff can enter cell phone numbers, primary and secondary e-mail addresses and secondary phone numbers at which they will be notified.
“The system will be used for emergencies only,” said Webb. “We encourage our students, faculty and staff to sign up. We also hope that parents will urge their sons and daughters to sign up. No system of notification can be perfect on its own, but this system in combination with other methods of communication will allow us to relay information quickly and accurately.”
The system will cover Northwestern campuses in Natchitoches, Shreveport, Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria.
Northwestern also plans to install two emergency sirens that can be heard throughout the Natchitoches campus. The most widely used buildings on the main campus have television monitors which can be used to post messages in case of an emergency. A series of callboxes with a direct connection to University Police are set up around campus.
The entire University Police department recently underwent Rapid Deployment for Critical Incidents training and police unit camera training with ICOP. Several members of the department also underwent Triage Assessment System for Students in Learning Environments training.
Northwestern has also worked to increase pay to better attract and retain officers and has added personnel to complete all shifts. New patrol cars and equipment including in-car cameras have also been purchased. Plans are to provide each patrol car with a laptop computer and needed software.
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