Archived News |
March 3, 2008
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ officially launches FirstCall today
Today, the University of Louisiana at Monroe is launching yet another security measure: an emergency alert notification system that will send text, voice and e-mail messages to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ students, faculty and staff during a crisis. The implementation of FirstCall Interactive Network is a statewide initiative funded by the Louisiana Board of Regents and supported by the University of Louisiana System.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ President James Cofer said, “Campus security has been a top capital outlay priority at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ for the past several years; we are always seeking the best technology related to security. With the mass notification capabilities of FirstCall, we’re able to add another component to our emergency preparedness.â€
During an emergency only, FirstCall Interactive Network will notify the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ community through text and voice messages on cell phones and through e-mail messages. The FirstCall system also allows for text-to-voice features that will send messages to landlines and will compliment º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµâ€™s existing electronic signage and the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ homepage.
Currently, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ students, faculty and staff are registered to receive FirstCall alerts through their º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ-issued e-mail accounts. To best utilize this new alert system, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ administrators strongly encourage the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ community to ensure their contact information is accurate and to enter additional contact information, such as an alternate e-mail address, cell and home phone numbers and a phone number for next of kin.
Beginning this week, FirstCall will e-mail all students, faculty and staff with active º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ email accounts, providing them with information about the system and a temporary password, enabling them to submit their cell phone and additional contact information on a secure web site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ community may only update their information after receiving an initial e-mail from FirstCall.
For º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ-related information, visit
For information on FirstCall incorporated, visit
Additional security measures at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ:
A $2 million line of credit will fund additional video surveillance and emergency call boxes, enhanced lighting, electronic controlled access, a mechanical keying system for the entire campus, a campus-wide emergency alert siren, and a backup generator. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ will implement these by the fall 2009 semester.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ adheres to an Emergency Response Plan, implemented at the university more than two years ago with the assistance of an outside security consultant.
PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓÆµ.