Communication During Emergencies

During emergencies, we have a plan for sharing information -- you have a role

Critical Incident Communication Plan

Indiana University's Critical Incident Communication Plan provides a framework for how communication occurs during emergencies big and small.

The plan outlines how information flows between first responders and the staff responsible for coordinating the response and any necessary public messaging. It details how information is shared with students, faculty and others affected by the emergency, as well as to the general public and news media.

It's important that members of our university community know how to receive official safety information, so please review this webpage and make sure your IU-Notify settings are current.

Go to the Critical Incident Communication Plan

Official sources of emergency information

During emergencies, it is important to get your information from official sources because it is more reliable.

IU uses a variety of methods to provide emergency and safety information. This includes using:

sirens
public address
social media
radios
broadcast media
people, in the form of building managers, Emergency Control Committees and residence hall personnel

IU also uses newer technologies, including:

text messages
webpages
consolidated communications system called IU-Notify

Learn more about IU’s communication methods

IU-Notify

Includes text message, desktop alerts, digital signs, phone calls, emails, webpage banner, social media, and campus cable stations.

Social media

Includes Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Weather radios

Also referred to as emergency alert radios and All Hazards NOAA Weather Radios.

Social media

Social media has become an important communication tool during emergencies because of its ability to share life-saving directions, videos and other information immediately to large numbers of people.

Ken Long is deputy director of Emergency Management and Continuity for IU Bloomington

During an emergency, IU will share important messages on the major campus social media accounts, such as @IUBloomington and @IUPUI on Twitter for the core campuses, in addition to emergency.iu.edu and @IUEmergencyUpdates on Facebook. Follow these accounts now so you can receive timely emergency information when you need it most.

Ken Long, director of Emergency Management and Continuity for IU Bloomington

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Weather radios

Emergency alert radios broadcast emergency and weather information across the campus and have been tested to ensure operation in all buildings. Every building manager or warden and academic/staff unit should have one of these radios.

A NOAA Weather Radio can receive weather information broadcast by The National Weather Service (NWS). Information can be warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You must have one of these radios to receive the warnings. The model features below provide the maximum safety.

Tone Alarm: the radio will activate when the NWS sends out a signal that there is a weather emergency
SAME: the radio can be customized for specific counties
Battery Backup: if the electricity is off, the radio will continue to work

Weather radios are available from many manufacturers and typically run $30-$80

Learn more about weather radios

If you have questions on buying a NOAA weather radio, please contact the IU Emergency Management Office at:

IU Bloomington 812-855-2004
IUPUI 317-274-8152
or email iuemc@iu.edu

Know where to find emergency information

Your campus homepage will always have the most current information in an emergency. You can also check the IU Emergency Information site. For general news information, visit the IU News Room. Some campuses have a telephone hotline that you can call for emergency information, which you’ll find on a campus’s Emergency Contact Information page.

IU Emergency Information

IU News Room

Campus Contact Information

Communication During Emergencies

During emergencies, we have a plan for sharing information -- you have a role

Critical Incident Communication Plan

Official sources of emergency information

Learn more about IU’s communication methods

IU-Notify

Social media

Weather radios

Social media

Connect with us

Weather radios

Know where to find emergency information

Protect IU social media channels