What is the ENN?
The University of Miami Emergency Notification Network (ENN) is a comprehensive communications solution that allows the University to quickly disseminate an urgent message through multiple communication mediums including:
• SMS Text Messages to Cell Phones
• Voice Messages to Cell Phones
• Email
• University of Miami Website Banners and Social Media
• Facebook Umiami.ENN
• Twitter Umiami.ENN
• Emergency Preparedness Webpage
• Emergency Notification Network-ENN
• Outdoor Warning Sirens (Gables Campus Only)
• Public Address (Gable Campus Residential Colleges Only)
• Rumor Control/ Hurricane Hotline 305-284-5151 or 800-227-0354
• Television
• Newspaper
Who are ENN messages sent to?
ENN messages are sent to every single member of the University community who has his/ her personal contact information registered on MyUM. Those individuals who do not have his/ her personal contact information registered on MyUM will not receive ENN voice or text messages on his/ her cell phone, and may not receive ENN emails if their contact information is out of date.
How do I make sure I receive ENN messages?
If you have not registered/ updated your personal contact information, please take the time to do so right now! Go to the ENN Step-by-Step Registration Guide for more information.
What might an ENN Message say?
In an actual emergency, here are a few sample messages you may receive via text message, voice message, email or loudspeaker:
“SHOOTING REPORTED on the (campus name) campus. Campus closed. Go/remain indoors, lock all doors/windows, stay away from windows, do not open locked doors for anyone. Await further instructions.”
What should I do if I receive an ENN message?
Do what the message tells you to do!
If the message tells you to “go/remain indoors, lock all doors/windows, stay away from windows, do not open locked doors for anyone,” do just that. Your goal should be to find a room that you can lock yourself in. Avoid leaving the building you are in, unless the threat is inside with you. If you are outside, run to the nearest building. Obviously, if there is a clear and present threat in the immediate area, like an active shooter, you are going to have to make the best decisions for your own safety.
If the message tells you to “check your work area for suspicious items, report any found, and evacuate to the assembly area,” do just that. Your goal is to get out of the building in a calm and organized manner while looking around your work area for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Follow others leaving the building to an assembly area. If you notice something suspicious, report it to police as soon as they arrive.
Can parents register to receive ENN messages?
Only students, faculty and staff with active MyUM accounts are in the notification system at this time. The University spent a significant amount of time researching, discussing and deciding on whether to include parents in the system when it was created. The decision was made not to allow parents to register because doing so would significantly increase the number of contact paths in the system. This would slow the overall speed at which the system sends messages, potentially affecting the speed at which community members who are actually on campus get the notification. The University of Miami is constantly reviewing and updating Emergency Notification policies when deemed in the best interest of community safety.
Regarding a recent ENN activation, why did I not receive every form of communication (text, email, call, siren, web, etc)?
The intent of the system is to get every person at least one form of communication (text, email, call, siren, web, etc) in a timely manner. Given the realities of life and the limits of current technology, it is simply not possible to assure every person will receive every form of communication. There are several uncontrollable points within the electronic communications systems where errors can occur, most of which are points controlled by outside vendors such as cell phone carriers, email providers and computer systems. If an individual just hears the outdoor warning sirens, or just gets an email, or just gets a text message, or sees it on the UM website, then the system was successful. The University is continually looking for ways to expand the number of components to the already redundant system.
Regarding a recent ENN activation, why did I not get a message “fast enough”?
The ENN system generally has anywhere from 75,000 to 90,000 contact paths (email addresses, cell phone numbers, home phone numbers, office phone numbers) entered. The current limits of technology affect how fast 75,000 to 90,000 messages can be delivered through the current communications infrastructure. Cell phone towers, phone lines, email systems and other messaging systems can only process and carry so many messages at a given time. As a result, it does take time for all messages to be sent. Due to a recognition of this issue, alternative communication forms have been developed and promoted including outdoor warning sirens (Gables Campus only at this time), and use of the University’s website. If an individual just hears the outdoor warning sirens, or just sees the website, then that individual did receive the message. The University is continually looking for ways to expand the number of components to the already redundant system.
What should I do if I am having difficulties registering my contact information for ENN?
If you are having difficulties registering, or updating any contact information on MyUM, or are having any questions/problems with the ENN, please do the following. First go through the ENN Step-by-Step Registration Guide to assure that all your contact information is up to date. After doing so, if you are still experiencing difficulties, please email telecomhelpdesk@miami.edu the following information:
1. Your first and last name
2. Your University C-number
3. Your contact telephone number where you can be reached regularly
4. Your cell phone number where you expect to receive the emergency calls/text messages
5. What the specific problem is, if you can describe it