Every school puts the safety of its students, staff and visitors first. A medical emergency, an accident or something more serious can happen at any moment, and how quickly and well you respond can change the outcome. Dialling 911 brings in emergency services, but your own internal response team also needs to hear about it immediately so they can take charge on site until responders get there.
That calls for a setup that does two jobs: it reaches emergency services, and it also warns the key people at your school, such as security staff, administrators and your designated emergency responders. Alerts that arrive in real time let them move fast on things like a lockdown, managing crowds or giving first aid, any of which can help limit the harm done.
Below, we walk through the main steps for setting up emergency call notifications at your school. We cover the three kinds of alerts you can use (phone calls, messages and emails) and how to tailor each one so the right people hear about an emergency at the right moment. With a complete notification plan in place, your school will be ready to respond in a coordinated, efficient way that helps keep everyone on campus safe.
Why Schools Need Emergency Alerts
A 911 call from inside your school usually means someone has to act on site straight away, before emergency crews arrive. So beyond notifying the authorities, your system should also alert the school staff who can start providing care or put emergency procedures in motion. Getting these notifications set up properly means everyone who needs to know about the emergency finds out and can respond.
Setting Up Notifications in the Portal
Emergency call notifications live in your domain settings in the portal. Sign in, open the "Domains" section, pick the domain you want to set up and click "Edit."
Inside the domain settings, open the "Emergency" tab, where you'll find the options for emergency call alerts. There are three main ways to reach key staff: phone calls, phone messages and emails. Each one plays a different role in making sure the alert gets to the right people.
Alerts by phone call
Phone calls are the first option. Add the names or phone numbers of the users who should get an automated call. Use this for the people who need to hear about an emergency directly and instantly. At a school, that might be your campus security officers or the principal, so they learn about the situation fast and can start organizing the on-site response.
Alerts by phone message
Next are phone messages, which are sent as SIP text messages. Add the names or phone numbers of the users who should receive these texts. This option works well for reaching more staff, including people who aren't at their desks or are busy with something else. In a larger school, for example, you might send SIP text alerts to members of your emergency response team and other essential staff who need to stay in the loop.
Alerts by email
The last option is email. Enter the addresses of anyone who should get an email alert. This suits administrative and management staff who need updates on what's happening and on any follow-up steps. School administrators or district officials, for instance, could be on this list so they can handle communication with outside parties and oversee the wider response.
Save and keep it current
Once you've filled in the details for each type of alert, click "Save" so the changes take effect. Make a habit of reviewing these settings regularly, too, so they stay accurate as staff roles and emergency contacts change.
Ready for the Unexpected
Setting up emergency call notifications is an important part of getting your school ready for an emergency. With phone call, phone message and email alerts in place, your key people hear about a situation quickly and can act right away. Planning ahead like this helps keep your school safe and responsive, so emergencies are handled well. If you'd like help configuring these settings, contact RBI Cloud Connect.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I set up emergency call notifications?
In the portal, go to Domains, select your domain, click Edit and open the Emergency tab.
What kinds of emergency alerts can be sent?
Three kinds: automated phone calls, phone messages sent as SIP text messages, and emails. You choose who receives each type.
