On Wednesday, March 3, the University of Miami conducted a full-scale test of its Emergency Notification Network (ENN) for the Coral Gables campus. The test was a success. All ENN systems were activated in a timely manner and all ENN systems functioned as designed.

According to the University’s emergency messaging service provider, more than 54,000 e-mails, text messages, and cell phone calls (home and office phones were not included in the test) were sent to Coral Gables campus community members registered in the system.

Preliminary analysis of service provider data shows that the system performed well, especially during the first five minutes of the test, when more than 15,000 messages were successfully sent out. Approximately 99 percent of registered Coral Gables campus community members with valid contact information received at least one form of test message within nine minutes. All 54,000-plus messages were sent within 23 minutes. In addition to analyzing test data, the University is soliciting community feedback through the Web-based ENN Test/System Survey Form. To complete a survey, visit the Emergency Preparedness Web site at www.miami.edu/prepare and click on the “Test/System Feedback Form” link.

Had there been a real emergency, the message you received would have identified the type of emergency the University was experiencing. If you did not receive an ENN message, it is most likely because your contact information is not registered on myUM or is out of date. Test data has revealed that a significant number of community members had no contact information or invalid contact information registered on myUM. Therefore, the University’s ENN system was not able to contact them.

Remember: Your response to an actual ENN message advising to shelter in place should be based on common sense, situational awareness, personal decisions, and the STAY Strategy. The STAY Strategy is designed to be a guide, based on the availability of a securable area. If your area is not securable or you are outdoors, consider the availability of nearby facilities, which may provide shelter-in-place options.

Think STAY: Secure your area, lock or barricade doors and windows, close blinds, prevent anyone/anything from accessing occupants. Take cover, hide, stay out of sight. Advise others so that they can take steps to protect themselves; await further information. You must take measures to protect your safety. Police will be busy with the actual response to the incident and will not be able to direct your personal actions unless you are actively involved.

Register or update your contact information on myUM now to ensure delivery of future ENN messages in case of a real emergency. If your contact information was correctly registered on myUM and you did not receive the ENN test message, please contact UM Information Technology by visiting the Emergency Preparedness Web site at www.miami.edu/prepare and clicking on the “Technical Question Form” link.

A full explanation of the ENN, frequently asked questions, and step-by-step registration directions are available through the UM Emergency Preparedness Web site at www.miami.edu/prepare.