If you want to see how far technology has come with emergency communication and notification capabilities, look no further than Virginia Tech, a university campus that experienced two shooting events. The first, in April 2007, left 32 people dead. During that event, it took several hours to alert everyone on campus. When another unfortunate event occurred a few years later, the campus — which had instituted a multi-layered approach to notification after the 2007 tragedy — was better prepared, says Doug Hoeferle, global offering leader for building communications, Honeywell Building Technologies, Atlanta.

“The first Virginia Tech shooting took four hours to notify everyone on campus. The second one … the entire campus was notified within 30 minutes,” Hoeferle says. That event resulted in two deaths — a police officer and the shooter. While any loss of life is tragic, Hoeferle points to improvements in technology, integration and “layering” as the key to keeping as many people safe as possible, whether the event is a mass shooting, fire or weather event. “They used eight layers, including social media,” he says. 

Others, from manufacturers to code-defining bodies such as the National Fire Protection Association, also have recognized the potential of technology to alert in a variety of ways, from traditional lights and sounders, to SMS text notification, to taking over computers and signage, to the use of video and social media. With the proliferation of companies that offer solutions, it can be challenging to know what is best for the customer. But one thing is certain: There is a growing need and desire for these types of systems; and if you understand what the capabilities are and how best to incorporate them into the customer’s overall emergency protocols, they can and will save lives.

New Technologies

Some of the mass notification solutions today might surprise you. For example, Speco, a company based in Amityville, N.Y., known for its video surveillance products, recently introduced its solution, which incorporates video along with other technologies. “Being in the business of safeguarding lives and property, we continually ask ourselves what other ways we can use video to prevent and mitigate the harms from new threats such as increasing active shooter situations, more frequent fires, as well as other forms of destruction such as extreme weather,” says James Hoang, partnering and integration manager, Speco Technologies. “That is why Speco has developed our SecureGuard SMS Mass Notification System.”

Speco’s solution integrates the company’s video technology with partner technologies including gunshot detection sensors, facial recognition, and license plate recognition. “When a Speco video system detects a threat, be it from a face on a wanted list, a stolen car or a gunshot, Speco can send text alerts to hundreds of different mobile devices within seconds to get people out of harm’s way,” Hoang explains. 

Text messaging also combines with video in Rave’s latest feature to its Rave Alert solution that allows organizations to send unlimited messages to unlimited recipients. “Earlier this year we released a live stream video feature for the Rave 911 suite,” says Noah Reiter, vice president of customer success, Rave Mobile Safety, Framingham, Mass. “The feature enhances public safety officials’ ability to communicate, assess emergency situations, better deploy critical resources, collaborate and make more informed decisions during an event with real-time critical information.”

Many new solutions recognize the need not only to disseminate information, but to receive it using two-way communication. Share911, for example, enables security directors and managers to notify employees of operations and safety concerns at or near a workplace, says Erik Endress, CEO of Share911, Ramsey, N.J. “Unlike traditional mass notification platforms, Share911 Notify enables employees to acknowledge the receipt of the notification and reply with any information they may have about the situation,” he explains. 

Designed for school security applications, Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System (CLASS) from Sielox also relies on two-way communication. “We are continually enhancing CLASS with new and more powerful features; for example, CLASS can be accessed anywhere and anytime ... A chat feature enables two-way communications between occupants and first responders to exchange detailed information or instructions,” says Karen Evans, CEO, Sielox LLC, Runnymede, N.J. “CLASS can also issue messages with response instructions specific to each alert level … and override any PC on the network to ensure the highest visibility of alert status.”

Two-way communication is critical to the Command & Control Incident Management System (C2) from BluePoint Alert Solutions (an Emergency24 strategic partner), Elgin, Ill., says John Shales, co-founder. “Our solution is founded on the idea of we keep an emergency from becoming a tragedy? We believe empowering people with greater situational awareness quickly and intuitively is the path to reducing and minimizing tragedy. Our latest development addresses the problem of quickly accounting for people during an armed intruder event … It not only enables people to report their location, but also provide a means to report medical needs, as well.”

The key to the most effective emergency communication and mass notification is often not one solution, but the combination of technologies, Hoeferle says. Many solutions can and should be integrated into an overall security and life safety system, for the most effective and multi-layered approach. 

That is why Honeywell is introducing a mass notification platform solution called UNP, unified notification platform. “Most of our systems are at least integrated with the fire alarm system,” he says. “[UNP] enables efficient sharing of information during situations by taking siloed systems in a building and allowing them to communicate with each other to prioritize and push out to building occupants both on and off premises,” Hoeferle describes. From IP phones to cell phones to TVs and laptops, the system will “take over” those communication tools and push the messaging out.

“Having that capability to communicate a consistent message simultaneously through multiple layers is key,” he says. “You are not over-relying on any one type of communication, but a desktop or TV takeover, texting, app push, LED signage, etc., to get people to understand. These are all really critical elements to effective emergency communications.”

Challenges & Opportunities

The proliferation of solutions and options can lead to confusion and challenges, particularly for security integrators trying to find the best options for their customers. But when done carefully and effectively, it can lead to opportunities — particularly in an industry that is so heavily code-driven. Fire and life safety systems are not often discretionary purchases; but increasingly emergency communication and mass notification systems are being sought outside of code upgrades.

Some challenges come from code changes and the need to understand what is and isn’t allowed (see “Code Updates” on page 50). But generally, codes are loosening when it comes to the ability to integrate and use new technologies.

“I think some of the challenges are because the Mass Notification Code is somewhat new,” Hoeferle says. “There is so much involved and it doesn’t specify what type of systems and it requires a risk analysis. That is quite involved … But there is definitely a sales opportunity there.”

Mike Cast, sales manager for Biamp, Beaverton, Ore., says, “Integrators need to get in early and often, find out who the governing body is and their interpretation of the code and involve the local AHJ in their decisions. In some cases facilities will also have their own standard operating procedure (SOP). The SOP explains how they handle life safety events, such as an active shooter. Integrators will need to … reflect that in their design. Installers also need to be aware of all the manufacturers involved in the solution and how it will operate together at the end of the project.”

Paul Hefty, technical sales and support engineer II, Aiphone Corp., Redmond, Wash., advises, “Keep it simple. The more complicated the system is, the more likely there could be issues. Make sure the system matches the end user’s plan. The plan and the system should complement each other.”

Another challenge for security integrators is understanding the environment the system will be deployed in and making sure to use the best technology fit. For example, many systems rely on voice messaging; but messages need to be not only heard, but understood. “When you get into voice, you get into designing speaker systems,” Hoeferle says. “You have to look at laying out those speakers for intelligibility and audibility. You have to understand the features for acoustically designed spaces so the message is intelligible. Some of that is a little new, so there is a learning curve and something they can go to the manufacturer [for help] on.”

Jim Hoffpauir, president of Zenitel North America, Kansas City, Mo., agrees. Zenitel has been promoting intelligibility for the past several years, even offering a “scorecard” for integrators to help them understand audio needs and issues. He suggests security integrators work closely with their communication, access control and multi-modal vendors to achieve the optimum outcome. “When it comes to audio devices, seek to truly understand the role of intelligibility.”

And understand that whether it is audio, video, fire or other technology, each piece is just part of the outcome. “The industry forgets that emergency notification and mass notification is a process and outcome, not a product,” Hoffpauir says. “Properly understanding the goals and performance measures around the people, process and technology is critical.”

That is why multi-layers are so important, Hoeferle adds. In some environments voice and even text or phone alerts are not enough. “I toured a stadium where they have the ability for that big scoreboard to have all the same emergency messages. When things are about trying to get people to hear a voice message, in that environment it is almost impractical.”

The integration itself can provide the biggest challenge — and opportunity. “Many integrators adopting new systems think that they have to start from scratch,” Reiter says. “Those looking to adopt new solutions should investigate whether a messaging product allows for integration through an upload system that easily accepts CSV files regardless of origin or through web APIs. This integration means you can incorporate information from other sources or offer people the option to opt-in for messaging if they sign up for another service. If your emergency messaging system is integrated with a continually updating source, such as human resources, you can ensure that you are sending messages using the most up-to-date contact information.”