Plans test alert for February 7
Cookeville – Tennessee Tech University has launched a new partnership with Putnam County’s 911 Center and Emergency Management Agency that will bring the full resources of the county to bear in the event of emergencies or natural disasters impacting the Tech campus in Cookeville. With Tech and Putnam County utilizing the same Emergency Alert System platform, the partnership allows both entities to rely on each other during times of emergency and to ensure the same message is relayed to both university subscribers and the community at-large.
As part of the new partnership, a test of the TTUAlert system will take place on Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time. All Tech students who have provided a valid phone number are automatically enrolled to receive emergency alerts. Parents, faculty, staff, and community members can opt-in to receive emergency alerts at https://www.tntech.edu/safety/ttualert.php.
Recipients do not need to take any action upon receiving the test alert.
“As we approach the three-year anniversary of the March 2020 tornadoes that impacted many in our Tech family, we are pleased to announce this partnership that will align resources and communications to provide the most coordinated, timely response in an emergency situation,” said Tech President Phil Oldham.
Tech is one of the safest campuses in the state, According to Oldham.
“While Tech remains among the safest campuses in the state, we are never complacent in our duty to ensure the protection of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” continued Oldham. “By leveraging the capabilities of Putnam County’s emergency services alongside our devoted in-house university police force, we are equipped to respond earlier if a crisis arises and deliver maximum support to those affected. Tech is proud to call Putnam County home, and we thank our county leaders for the ways they continue to partner with the university and support our Golden Eagles.”
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter understands how vital Tech is to the community.
“Tennessee Tech is a vital part of our community, and we are very proud they are here,” said Porter. “We have a longstanding partnership with Tech in many areas and are always looking for new ways to better protect our community. This new partnership is exciting because it allows us to alert campus and community members without delays. We appreciate President Oldham and University Police Chief Tony Nelson for working together with us on this very important program.”
In addition to text-based alerts, emergency notifications are also communicated via Tech’s social media platforms and the university website.
If you are a Tech student or are otherwise subscribed to emergency alerts and do not receive a test alert message on Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time, please immediately report it and verify your subscription status at https://www.tntech.edu/safety/ttualert.php.
As always, students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors should dial 911 in the event of an emergency. For other inquiries, University Police can be reached at 931-372-3234.
UCBJ file photo.
