UNMC and Nebraska Medicine rolled out a significantly upgraded emergency alert system in March, and Friday’s severe weather showed the system’s capacity to notify the campus community as the situation evolved.
Multiple alerts went out Friday afternoon and evening via the new system, including alerts for the tornado watch for Douglas County and tornado warnings that were flagged as “UNMC Emergency!”
The new system is called UNMC Alert. It is powered by RAVE Mobile Safety and replaces the former Omnilert platform.
UNMC faculty, staff and students were automatically uploaded to the system using contact information in Firefly for faculty and staff and MyRecords for students. Although student cell phone information has been uploaded into the RAVE Mobile Safety system, cell phone contacts for faculty and staff still are being uploaded.
Diane Mack, UNMC’s director of emergency management, said faculty and staff are able to upload their cell phone numbers into the system.
Colleagues were opted-in to receive emergency notifications, which include alerts for tornado warnings and severe weather, active shooter and armed intruder situations, and other potential hazards and critical situations affecting Nebraska Medicine and UNMC properties in the Omaha area.
To ensure the system has up-to-date contact information, faculty, staff and students can log in to UNMC Alert to verify their info.
Mack urged everyone to make sure their contact information is correct and in the system.
Throughout the community, the advance warnings gave people time to take protective actions, which helped minimize the injuries from the storm, Mack said.
“We appreciate everyone who heeded the tornado warnings and took shelter – it truly makes a difference during an emergency like the one we experienced on Friday,” Mack said. “This is also a great time to make sure you know the location of your closest tornado shelter or severe weather safe area at work, as well as a shelter and communication plan for home.”
Students, faculty and staff also can update their contact information in the RAVE Mobile Safety and either Firefly or MyRecords at any time if their phone number changes or they have a new email address.