BCCC launches system for emergencies

BUTLER, Pa. — Butler County Community College has launched “BC3 Alerts,” an emergency mass notification system that instantly and simultaneously alerts students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency situation.

By signing up at bc3.edu, students will receive important messages on their cell phone or PDA via text message. Messages will also be sent to personal and BC3 e-mail accounts, posted on BC3’s Web site or received on a computer home page.

“We take safety and campus security seriously at BC3 by taking a proactive approach to crisis management,” said Nick Neupauer, BC3 president. “The system compliments the safety procedures we already have in place.”

New technology and the increased use of mobile phones have allowed for instant and direct communication methods. Over 300 colleges and universities have implemented the e2campus system to alert students anytime, anywhere. “BC3 Alerts” will be used to notify students, faculty, and staff of snow closings and delays, weather warnings, power failures, fire and gas leaks and crime and security issues.

The system allows each person to register up to two cell phones and two e-mail addresses. Depending on a person’s cell phone plan, there may be a nominal fee from their carrier to receive text messages, but there is no charge from the college to sign up and use “BC3 Alerts.”

“BC3 Alerts” is an optional service and will not replace traditional methods of distributing information through television, radio and online. The system will be used for emergency contact purposes only. To ensure the privacy of all students, it won’t be used to distribute advertising or other unsolicited content, and information collected will not be shared or sold to third parties.