Emergency Notification Systems

Effective communication is one of the major challenges in emergency management. Emergency notification and communication extends far beyond the need for emergency responders to be able to communicate with one another. Instead, the issue is complex and involves all constituents - responders, decision-makers, support personnel and individuals affected by the emergency event. Communication before, during and after emergencies is critical. Redundancy is important because at any given time, one or more of the communication methods may fail.

During emergency situations, telephone lines will be congested, often impeding critical use by victims and emergency responders. Therefore, when emergency alerts are issued, you are encouraged to refrain from using your office or cell phone except to call for emergency assistance. For large scale emergencies, updates will be posted on the JSU Web site. Whenever possible, use email to communicate with relatives to alleviate concerns about your safety.

Currently JSU communicates with students, faculty, and staff before, during or after emergencies in the following way:

  • JSU Emergency Alert System, the University's primary emergency notification system
  • Outdoor emergency sirens activated by the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency 
  • Campus - wide email system
  • NOAA weather radios located in every JSU building
  • 92.J - Campus Radio Station
  • Telephone trees (in which assigned individuals call others with emergency messages)
  • Loud speakers on JSU Police vehicles
  • Marquees located in front of Theron Montgomery Building and Pete Mathews Coliseum
  • Social Media - Messages sent via JSU's Emergency Alert System will automatically post to JSU's official Facebook page and Twitter account