USU works to make improvements to its Code Blue system
Utah State University’s public safety department is working to make improvements to it’s Code Blue system, which is how the USU community is notified of emergencies. These improvements include rapid-alert buttons, making the alert system easier for sign-ups and new administrative positions.
On Feb. 20, a Code Blue alert was sent out with one message: “Armed Aggressor. Run. Hide. Fight.”
The ensuing panic and response from the student body called for changes to the system. USU spokesman Tim Vitale told The Utah Statesman the message was a technological mistake, which happened while technicians were attempting to install buttons that would alert students early to important information.
The four buttons, “EMERGENCY, ALL CLEAR, ACTIVE SHOOTER, SNOW REMOVAL,” are meant to serve as a preliminary message. Once more information is available, campus safety will send detailed updates to students and administrators.
Since the incident, IT has continued to work on resolving the issue.
Amanda DeRito, Director of Crisis Communications for USU Public Relations, said the system is set up to help dispatch.
“We only have one dispatch available at a time for emergency calls. In the case of an emergency, say a shooter for example, dispatch needs to alert everyone quickly so that they don’t get overwhelmed with calls. Then, once more information is available, we can work with them to get information to the public”, DeRito said.
In addition to the technical changes being made to Code Blue, DeRito said they may consider an opt-out system in the future. Currently, there is no requirement to sign up for Code Blue. The choice is optional when students enroll. An opt-out system would sign up everyone automatically during registration; students would then have to manually opt-out from receiving emergency messages.
This was also an issue during the false alarm in February, as students who were not signed up to receive notifications were unaware of the alarm.
“This is one of the improvements we hope to make in the future with an opt-out system,” DeRito said. “The problem is that we get a lot of parents’ cell phone numbers or landlines when students register. So that is something we are going to have to work on.”
Although the information is yet to be released, DeRito said that Code Blue will also be easier to sign up for in the future.
When asked what changes were being made since the false alarm in February, DeRito said several steps had already been taken to address the issue. She said that quite a bit of data and feedback had been collected, and that they were working on a focus group training plan for the fall.
“We recognize that there are gaps in our knowledge and training. We hope that taking these steps will help us be more prepared,” DeRito said.
The new Code Blue system is part of a technology company called Alertus.
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