UTMB First Call
Emergency Alert Notification System
In 2007, UTMB launched FirstCall, a new emergency communication tool
for the university community. Called a “reverse 911” system, the application
augments existing emergency communication resources such as email and
web- and phone-based alerts.
The service is only activated in an emergency situation when there is a risk of
significant harm or an urgent threat. When such a threat occurs, a brief message
will be sent to those subscribed to the system, updating them or instructing them to seek
additional information from other existing university information sources.
Although
registration for employees in the
FirstCall system is voluntary, it is strongly recommended. It allows faculty, staff and
students to use the campus directory to designate an email address
or telephone number where an email, voice or text message can be quickly
sent in an emergency. The emergency contact information stored in the system
is not displayed in the directory or used for any other purpose.
REGISTER FOR THE FIRSTCALL SYSTEM IN
THREE EASY STEPS:
1. Go to the Main Campus
Directory
a. Internet Explorer on Windows
From a UTMB-networked computer or using a VPN connection from any remote
location,
visit the directory via this link or URL. (For
security reasons, the public
directory
does not offer edit capabilities.) Look up your name.
b. All other browsers and platforms
From a UTMB-networked computer or using a VPN connection from any
remote location, go to
http://intranet.utmb.edu/directory/. Look up your name.
2. Click the "Edit Data" button to enter emergency contact
information. Enter your username and password and click “Submit.” A new screen
will appear, with a button that reads “Emergency Alert Contacts.”
3. Click on the "Emergency Alert
Contact" button. Enter your alternate email, phone/mobile number,
or text message number in one of the fields provided. Include the area code
for phone and text message numbers. (You do not need to enter a "1" for long
distance calls.) Please provide your text message vendor.
Your information will automatically be added to the database; there is no
confirmation screen. You can recheck or update your data anytime by logging
back into the system.
Text messaging is the fastest and most reliable way to get a FirstCall
notification. For those with the capability, it’s the recommended approach.
Be sure and enter all 10 digits of your cell phone number and provide the
name of your cellular service provider.
While your UTMB email address can be used in the “alternate email”
field, remember that UTMB email accounts are already part of the existing emergency
broadcast system. If you have an alternate email address, you may consider
using it instead. Voice messages will likely take the longest to
disseminate, although ultimately the speed of the messages will depend on
how many people sign up to use the system and what options they each select.
UTMB is committed to continue working to improve and enhance its
emergency communication capabilities. Building on an already robust system,
FirstCall adds the capability to communicate faster to the outlets
preferred by members of the campus community.
If you have a question or need assistance, call UTMB Public Affairs at
(409) 772-2618 or contact the UTMB Help Desk at ishelp@utmb.edu.
Frequently Asked
Questions
How will the system be used?
The UTMB First Call system is another communication tool used by
the university for crisis communication. The tool complements existing
venues, including the UTMB telephone hotlines at (409) 77-ALERT
(772-5378) and toll free at (888) 772-5449; campus monitors; emergency
email broadcasts; and web sites including
www.utmb.edu, www.utmb.edu/alert
and http://utmbinfo.com.
The system is only activated
when there is a serious risk or active threat to the university
community. When such a threat occurs, a brief message
will be sent to those who subscribe to the system. The system will send
a voice, email and/or text message to system subscribers, and the
message will instruct recipients to seek additional details, instructions and
updates from other existing university information sources.
How do I sign up?
The information for First Call is pulled from fields in the UTMB
online directory. From a computer connected to the UTMB network or using a VPN
connection, go to
http://iram.utmb.edu/directory/ and look up your name. Click to edit
your data. A screen pops up requesting your UTMB user name and password.
After entering name and password and hitting submit, a new screen
appears with a button that reads “Emergency Alert Contacts.”
Click the button and enter your alternate email, phone/mobile number,
or text message number in one of the fields provided. User the complete
phone number, including area code. Your information will be added to the database.
Who can use FirstCall?
FirstCall is available to all students, employees and UTMB contractors
with a listing in the UTMB online directory. The emergency contact
information for First Call is pulled from fields available in the directory.
Who operates the system/how does it work?
A FirstCall emergency broadcast can be triggered by University Police or
UTMB Public Affairs working on behalf of the institutional emergency
preparedness officers. The system is supported by Information Services and
hosted outside the region by a contracted service provider that specializes
in this service.
How do I update my information or unsubscribe from the service?
The process is the same to sign up, change or unsubscribe from the
service. Follow the steps outlined above and revise or delete the
information under “Emergency Alert Contacts.” The change takes effect
within 24 hours. Again, you need to be on a UTMB-connected computer or
using a VPN connection to have the edit feature enabled in the
directory.
Will my contact information be shared or used in any other way?
No. The information provided for the UTMB First Call system will not be
shared with anyone inside or outside the university for any purpose
other than emergency notification.
Will my emergency contact information be displayed in the
directory?
No. It will only be visible to you when you elect to add, edit or review
the information.
Can I use the system to have a UTMB alert message sent to my
spouse or parent?
Yes, if you choose to do so. The alert message gets sent to the contact
number/address you supply. It can be any person’s number or address.
Will the system support long distance, out-of-state or
out-of-country calls?
In UTMB's application, the system does support long distance and
out-of-state calls, but does not support international calls.
If my call is long distance, do I need to enter a "1" before the
area code?
No. Just the area code and number (10 digits in all) are all the system needs.
Should I sign up for multiple ways to get messages?
We are encouraging users to select the mechanisms that will be most
effective for them. We are not locking the system down to a single
choice.
Will I get a voice or text message?
The choice is yours. You may choose to have a voice message sent to any
telephone (fixed or mobile), a text message sent to a mobile phone with
text service, or a text message sent to a UTMB or non-UTMB email address.
I signed up for voice mail but the messages I've received have
been garbled and difficult to understand. Why?
The FirstCall system has a built-in capability for text messages
to be converted to voice using a computer-generated, synthesized
"voice." In early applications where it was used, the results
for many message recipients were unsatisfactory. Every attempt is now
made to have all voice messages recorded by a person, rather than left to
a machine.
Which of the available options is the fastest?
Text messaging is the fastest way to get your alert message. (Please
remember that depending on your phone plan, you may be charged for text
messages.) The voice
message will likely be slowest, although ultimately it will depend on
how many people sign up to use the system and what options they each
select.
If you have a question or need assistance, call UTMB Public Affairs at
(409) 772-2618 or contact the UTMB Help Desk at ishelp@utmb.edu.
