Emergency Communication Methods
¼ªÏé·» has developed a communication plan to foster a safe environment as well as provide real-time communication to alert the campus community in the event of a significant emergency or dangerous situation on campus. We use a layered communication approach with several technologies. Each communication method augments the others.
Our emergency communications systems will be used to immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety or students, staff, or faculty occurring on the campus, unless issuing a notification would compromise efforts to contain the emergency.
Emergency Communication Methods include:
Blackboard Connect - Mass Notification System. The Blackboard Connect system allows ¼ªÏé·» Police Services the ability to send all students, staff and faculty time-sensitive information about unforeseen events and emergencies using voice, email and text messaging. The system can be used to broadcast pertinent information and provide details on appropriate response. This is our primary mass notification system, and students, staff, and faculty can ensure they receive these communications by making sure their emergency contact information is up to date in the myNorthridge portal. Students, staff, and faculty can also add additional phone numbers or email addresses for spouses, parents, roommates, family, etc. to receive notifications sent over these channels. Added information can only be modified or removed by the student, staff, or faculty member who entered it as part of their contact information. To receive emergency notifications via text, students, staff, and faculty must opt in through the portal under Update My Personal Information in the Emergency Information section. Students, staff, and faculty have the ability to opt in and out of SMS text messaging only and cannot opt out of messages sent to their ¼ªÏé·» email address or phone messaging.
¼ªÏé·» Social Media Sites - and as well as page will be updated with emergency information as appropriate.
Campus Carillon - Is an outdoor public broadcast system. It is intended to alert persons who are outdoors and is not designed to be heard inside buildings. Real-time messages and emergency instructions can be broadcasted.
- During a critical incident or emergency, information will be prominently displayed on the home page.
Informacast Phone Messaging System - The campus VOIP telephones allow ¼ªÏé·» administration or emergency response personnel to simultaneously send an audio and text message through the speaker and display screen of office phones.
Alertus Desktop Takeover System - Provides the University the ability to broadcast a desktop takeover pop-up message on all computers connected to the ¼ªÏé·» server. This includes the Matador Information Network Displays (MIND screens).
Emergency Signage - May be placed along the campus perimeter and within the campus to alert you to campus evacuation, closure, partial closure or testing of emergency communications. The signs include the LED message boards, the electronic marquee on Zelzah Avenue and laminated signs on sandwich boards strategically placed around the campus.
Radio Stations - Both KABC 790AM and KNX 1070AM participate in the Emergency Alert System, which will allow them to send and receive regional emergency information quickly and automatically during a disaster. ¼ªÏé·» Administration and emergency response personnel can also use our campus radio station KCSN 88.5FM to broadcast campus specific information.
Two-Way Radios - Are utilized for routine business (for example, Police, Physical Plant Management, etc.) and will also receive alerts and warnings via their radios.
Hand-Held Megaphones - Specially trained ¼ªÏé·» staff and faculty acting in the capacity of volunteer Building Marshal or ¼ªÏé·» CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members have access to hand-held megaphones to assist in communicating information during an emergency or critical incident.
Vehicle Public Address Systems - In cases where an isolated or targeted message may be required, university vehicles equipped with public address speakers (i.e. ¼ªÏé·» police and parking vehicles) may be also be used to augment other methods of communication.
- To report an emergency, faculty, staff and students can utilize the blue light phones located on the campus (including parking structures). When activated, the phone connects directly to a ¼ªÏé·» police dispatcher. There are 94 Blue Light phones strategically placed on campus. There are also that are TTY compatible for the hearing impaired.
Emergency/Non-Emergency Contact Numbers
24-hour Emergency (¼ªÏé·» Police, Fire or Medical): 911
24-hour Non-Emergency: 818-677-2111
Useful Telephone Numbers at ¼ªÏé·»
: 818-677-2111
Emergency Preparedness: 818-677-5973
: 818-677-3901
: 818-677-2201
: 818-677-5820
(Personal Safety Escorts): 818-677-5042 or 677-5048
: 818-677-2401
: 818-677-3666
Physical Plant Management: 818-677-2222
