Twitter for Emergencies

February 20, 2008

After last week’s horrible tragedy at NIU, I wanted to float an idea that I’m sure isn’t new, but that I haven’t seen talked about much.

In the cases of these college shootings, very often the problem is the quick communication that is needed in order to perform a ‘lock-down’, and tell students to get to a safe location. The logistics of this type of problem can be significant, but I’m only focusing on the administration-to-students communication.

1. A university creates an Emergency Twitter account. This twitter account becomes as ubiquitous on letterhead, business cards and the university’s website, etc. If the university wants, they can create a separate University News Twitter account or whatever, but this Emergency account is solely for emergencies.

2. As part of the incoming September events each year, and periodically throughout the year, all students are told/asked (mandated?) to create a twitter account, asked to follow the emergency twitter account, and set up notification via email and SMS for this account. (Parents could follow this account too for peace of mind if they like.)

Are there flaws in this that I’m missing? It seems like it would be a great way to use the platform that already exists.

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