In this featured piece by Facility Executive, Paul Shain, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, explains how mass notification systems help organizations manage a wide range of events, from severe weather and lockdowns to evacuations and medical emergencies, by tying existing communication tools together in a single interface. He describes how combining on-site notifications with mobile alerts adds redundancy, keeps people from entering a facility during a dangerous situation, and helps communicate “all clear” messages once an incident is resolved. Shain also details how automated detection tools like weather feeds and IoT sensors, along with wearable devices and mobile apps for lone workers, can trigger alerts and share a person’s name and location with security teams. He closes by emphasizing that mass notification systems increasingly manage an entire incident from initial alert through resolution, including safety resources and after-action reports.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Shain, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, writes that mass notification systems can be configured for events ranging from severe weather and lockdowns to evacuations and medical emergencies.
- Combining on-site notifications with mobile alerts adds another communication channel, helps keep people from entering a dangerous facility from outside, and supports “all clear” messaging during evacuations.
- Automated triggers, including National Weather Service feeds, CAP feeds, and IoT sensors, can activate pre-configured alerts the moment certain criteria are met.
- Wearable devices and mobile apps let lone workers request help and share their name and location with internal security teams, even without immediate access to a fixed device.
- Mass notification systems increasingly manage an entire incident from initial alert to resolution, including safety resources like floor plans and camera feeds, and generate reports for after-action review.
Original Story
Messages can be configured for any kind of event an organization may encounter, including severe weather, lockdowns, evacuations, active shooters, medical emergencies, and more. Some tools even offer IoT integrations that can further secure facilities by shutting down production lines, locking doors, and performing other safety-related tasks.
Mobile Alert Advantage
While utilizing tools within a facility to share safety information is important, organizations can gain additional value when combining on-site notifications with mobile alerts. Protecting people within a facility may be the main priority, but mobile alerts offer several advantages when used in conjunction with on-site notifications. First, they serve as another channel for communicating an organization’s message. The more channels an organization uses, the less likely someone misses a message.
Second, in situations that are particularly dangerous, mobile alerts can keep people from entering a facility if they are outside. They can also be used to continue communication if a facility needs to be evacuated. This can help rally people to reunification points and reduce downtime by easily communicating “all clear” messages to let people know they can reenter a facility.