Archived News | Return to News Center

March 3, 2008

ULM officially launches FirstCall today

Today, the University of Louisiana at Monroe is launching yet another security measure: an emergency alert notification system that will send text, voice and e-mail messages to ULM students, faculty and staff during a crisis. The implementation of FirstCall Interactive Network is a statewide initiative funded by the Louisiana Board of Regents and supported by the University of Louisiana System.

ULM President James Cofer said, “Campus security has been a top capital outlay priority at ULM for the past several years; we are always seeking the best technology related to security. With the mass notification capabilities of FirstCall, we’re able to add another component to our emergency preparedness.”

During an emergency only, FirstCall Interactive Network will notify the ULM community through text and voice messages on cell phones and through e-mail messages. The FirstCall system also allows for text-to-voice features that will send messages to landlines and will compliment ULM’s existing electronic signage and the ULM homepage.

Currently, ULM students, faculty and staff are registered to receive FirstCall alerts through their ULM-issued e-mail accounts. To best utilize this new alert system, ULM administrators strongly encourage the ULM community to ensure their contact information is accurate and to enter additional contact information, such as an alternate e-mail address, cell and home phone numbers and a phone number for next of kin.

Beginning this week, FirstCall will e-mail all students, faculty and staff with active ULM email accounts, providing them with information about the system and a temporary password, enabling them to submit their cell phone and additional contact information on a secure web site.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The ULM community may only update their information after receiving an initial e-mail from FirstCall.

For ULM-related information, visit www.ulm.edu/ens

For information on FirstCall incorporated, visit www.firstcall.net

Additional security measures at ULM:

A $2 million line of credit will fund additional video surveillance and emergency call boxes, enhanced lighting, electronic controlled access, a mechanical keying system for the entire campus, a campus-wide emergency alert siren, and a backup generator. ULM will implement these by the fall 2009 semester.

ULM adheres to an Emergency Response Plan, implemented at the university more than two years ago with the assistance of an outside security consultant.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.