FIU emergency communication

For the latest update on the tropical weather and FIU operations click here.

The following message was sent by President Mark B. Rosenberg to the university community on June 1, 2010:

Dear students, faculty and staff:

Today marks the beginning of the 2010 hurricane season. This is an appropriate time to review our emergency communication systems and learn about recent changes to the way we communicate with one another during any kind of emergency that affects our university community.

This spring I asked College of Law Dean Alex Acosta to conduct a review of the emergency response alert system. I did this because the safety of our students, and the entire university community is my number one concern.  We must continually ensure that the best planning, processes and technology are in place to keep our community safe.

As a result of Dean Acosta’s review and recommendations, I am asking students, faculty and staff to participate in our emergency text messaging system Panther Alert. The system will import existing emergency contact information and require students to update their cell phone number during the registration process each semester. Faculty and staff will be asked to update their contact information once a year.

Panther Alert is only activated when there is an imminent threat on our campuses. In addition, system tests will be conducted periodically. Standard text messaging charges apply.

In addition to Panther Alert, FIU has a number of redundant systems that are activated to alert the university community during emergencies. These channels of communication are:

·         Informacast: Messages appear on the Cisco Phones located in offices and classrooms throughout the campuses. Also, audible messages are broadcast through these phones, as well as through speakers located in common areas and residence halls.

·         Email: Messages are sent to student, faculty and staff FIU email accounts.

·         FIU web page: The university’s home page www.FIU.edu is updated with the latest information or instructions related to the situation at hand. The university’s official news site is always a good place to get the latest about FIU http://newsarchives.fiu.edu

·         Facebook: Like Florida International University http://www.facebook.com/floridainternational

·         Twitter: Follow FIUnews. http://twitter.com/FIUnews

·         FIU HELP Line: Dial 305-FIU-HELP (305-348-4357) to hear short updates.

·         News Media. Local news media can also be a source of information about campus events.

Also following recommendations made in the Acosta report, I have asked Senior Vice President and CFO Kenneth Jessell to lead the Emergency Management Core Committee (EMCC) in a full review and update of the university’s emergency management plan to incorporate national best practices, lessons learned as a result of a recent incident on our own campus, and the latest applicable technology.

An effective emergency response and communication plan is one that is widely understood within the university community. Please look for updates on FIU’s emergency management plan in the coming weeks and months.

For a video on how the university will keep you informed during emergencies, please click here. For more information on FIU’s Office of Emergency Management and other resources available, please visit http://www.fiuoem.com/. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Assistant Director of Emergency Management Dorothy Miller at 305-348-6975 or dorothy.miller@fiu.edu

Let’s have a safe hurricane season and use this opportunity to better prepare ourselves to respond to any natural and/or man-made disasters that may affect our community. I also encourage you to review and update your own personal preparedness plan at this time.

Thank you for your interest and cooperation.

Mark B. Rosenberg
President