This is Not a Test, So What Do You Tell Your Audience?
The success of a mass notification system rests on strategically crafted alerts that drive
the desired action without aggravating fears and creating panic. If you can move constituents to evacuate a building or take immediate shelter as calmly as possible—if you can provide actionable information to aid responders in tactical response and up-to-the minute updates to local officials in a neighboring jurisdiction—you have reached your ultimate goal.
SAMPLE MESSAGES
To get the reaction you want, craft your message with the right amount of information. For example, messages about criminal activity, hazardous materials or life-threatening storms in the recipients’ immediate vicinity require more detail about what the recipients should (and should not) do than messages about school or roadway closures due to snowfall.
Message Templates
Templates of standard language mean system managers need only push a button to queue a message for distribution. Templates eliminate delays in alert notifications due to message development and also allow sharing of best practices in message content. Templates typically are used with e-mail, desktop, digital signage and text message alerts, but can also be used or modified for radio, television, loudspeaker or other audible and visual alerts.
Examples of initial alerts:
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. Natural gas leak in [BUILDING/LOCATION]. If you are in [BUILDING/LOCATION], please evacuate immediately. If you are not in [BUILDING/LOCATION], avoid this area.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. We are under a [TORNADO WARNING]. Take shelter in an interior room immediately.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. There is an armed intruder in [BUILDING/LOCATION]. If you are in [BUILDING/LOCATION], please evacuate immediately. If you are not in [BUILDING/LOCATION], avoid this area.
Examples of second alerts:
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. Natural gas leak in [BUILDING/LOCATION] is stopped. [BUILDING/LOCATION] will reopen at
8 AM EDT November 6.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. We are under a [TORNADO WARNING]. Take shelter in an interior room immediately. At 419 PM EDT...National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 7 miles west of Lodi…or about 15 miles west of Medina…moving east at 40 MPH.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. The armed intruder in [BUILDING/LOCATION] is in police custody. Avoid the area until further notice.
Click here to explore effective ways of gaining participation in your program.
the desired action without aggravating fears and creating panic. If you can move constituents to evacuate a building or take immediate shelter as calmly as possible—if you can provide actionable information to aid responders in tactical response and up-to-the minute updates to local officials in a neighboring jurisdiction—you have reached your ultimate goal.
SAMPLE MESSAGES
To get the reaction you want, craft your message with the right amount of information. For example, messages about criminal activity, hazardous materials or life-threatening storms in the recipients’ immediate vicinity require more detail about what the recipients should (and should not) do than messages about school or roadway closures due to snowfall.
Message Templates
Templates of standard language mean system managers need only push a button to queue a message for distribution. Templates eliminate delays in alert notifications due to message development and also allow sharing of best practices in message content. Templates typically are used with e-mail, desktop, digital signage and text message alerts, but can also be used or modified for radio, television, loudspeaker or other audible and visual alerts.
Examples of initial alerts:
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. Natural gas leak in [BUILDING/LOCATION]. If you are in [BUILDING/LOCATION], please evacuate immediately. If you are not in [BUILDING/LOCATION], avoid this area.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. We are under a [TORNADO WARNING]. Take shelter in an interior room immediately.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. There is an armed intruder in [BUILDING/LOCATION]. If you are in [BUILDING/LOCATION], please evacuate immediately. If you are not in [BUILDING/LOCATION], avoid this area.
Examples of second alerts:
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. Natural gas leak in [BUILDING/LOCATION] is stopped. [BUILDING/LOCATION] will reopen at
8 AM EDT November 6.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. We are under a [TORNADO WARNING]. Take shelter in an interior room immediately. At 419 PM EDT...National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 7 miles west of Lodi…or about 15 miles west of Medina…moving east at 40 MPH.
This is an alert from [ORGANIZATION]. The armed intruder in [BUILDING/LOCATION] is in police custody. Avoid the area until further notice.
Click here to explore effective ways of gaining participation in your program.