Whether an emergency occurs during or after normal business hours, the first contact should be to Campus Police/Security, who will determine how and whom to notify beyond them according to the level of activity on campus. In the event of any emergency, report the location and existing conditions to:
Demorest Campus Police: 706-939-1349
Athens Campus Director of Administration: 706-433-1785
Or after hours, Athens Security:706-433-1789
Campus Police will contact senior management to decide if and when to activate the Emergency Response Team and/or Campus Emergency Notification Procedures.
The president is in charge during an emergency and, in his absence, the highest ranking administrative officer on campus is to assume command until the next highest ranking officer reports to campus. During emergencies, the first person on the campus should not hesitate to follow the university’s emergency protocol.
Emergency Response Team and Critical Campus Support
When emergency conditions are such that normal University operational efforts can no longer deal effectively with the emergency, Campus Police/Security will notify the Emergency Response Team(s) for the affected campus:
- Demorest Campus Emergency Notification List (Appendix A)
- Athens Campus Emergency Notification List (Appendix B)
Upon notification, members of the Emergency Response Team will assemble in:
Demorest Campus - President’s Office
Athens Campus – Conference Room #135
Or another designated location and begin operations under the direction of the President.
Each team member will contact other key personnel in order to begin operations using contact numbers on the Emergency Notification List for their campus.
Emergency Communication Center
If power is available, the Emergency Communication Center will reside in:
Demorest Campus: Daniel Hall under the direction of the President or the President’s designees. If power is not available, the Emergency Communications Center will reside in the President’s Home where auxiliary power is available.
Athens Campus: The Office of the Director of Administrative Services under the direction of the President or the President’s designees. If power is not available, the Emergency Communications Center will reside at a location designated by the President and Director of Facilities Management.
Emergency Alert Plan
The Piedmont University communication approach is based on redundancy, using various methods to reach members of the university, including students, parents, alumni, visitors and the news media.
The goal is to send timely notice after being notified of an emergency situation. While other means may be used, the primary methods of alerting people include the following:
- E-Alert (Email & Text Message): Depending on the nature and location of an emergency situation, Piedmont may send an “E-Alert” message to all students, faculty and staff in the form of text message and email. Members can register to receive text messages at: https://piedmont.omnilert.net/subscriber.php
- Siren & Public Address System: An alert tone may be broadcast on campus using outdoor sirens. Constituents may be alerted to potential severe weather and/or threatening situations by a siren alert followed by recorded or live voice instructions. (Campus Police, Demorest, and Athens-Clarke County Siren System, Athens).
- Push Notification from Piedmont University Mobile Application: Depending on the nature and location of an emergency situation, Piedmont may utilize the Piedmont University Mobile Device Application (app) to deliver an emergency notification to all app users. Users only need have the app installed on their mobile device for the push notification to deliver an emergency notification. The app administrator is the only person authorized to utilize the Push Notification feature in the app.
- Web/Alert Web Bar: In order to highlight emergency news and other alerts, Piedmont will include on its website (www.piedmont.edu) a scrolling bar at the header of the website. The scrolling alert has a character limit of 99 characters, but is clickable to view a more detailed message that has no character limit. (Web Coordinator)
- Direct Contact: Piedmont will initiate a phone tree with building contacts (Campus Emergency Notification Call Lists).
- Social Media: Piedmont will post messages on its main Facebook page (@PiedmontUniversity) and on its official Twitter feed (@PiedmontGA) to reflect the proper emergency information. The Twitter feed has a maximum character limit of 140. (Web Coordinator)
- Switchboard Message: Piedmont will change the external message on those calling the main switchboard line to indicate the proper emergency information, and direct callers to other information sources as appropriate.
- Other: Regular updates will also be provided to the news media. (PR Director)
Immediate Response: The team will carry out these initial tasks immediately:
- Send E-Alert e-mail/text message
- Activate sirens/public address system for immediate threats (tornado, armed intruder, etc.)
- Send push notification through Piedmont App
- Activate and post notification on Piedmont website (alert web bar)
- Send media alert as appropriate
- Send messages and update content through the Piedmont University accounts on Twitter (@PiedmontGA) and/or Facebook (@PiedmontUniversity) as appropriate
- Update switchboard message as appropriate
Demorest Campus Police and Athens Campus Security play an integral role in any potential emergency situation, and will maintain constant communications with the Office of the President and/or other designated vice president.