New video series makes emergency alerts easier to understand
麻豆免费版下载Boulder has launched a new animated video series designed to help the campus community better understand and respond to our听.听
鈥淢ore clear. Less fear.鈥澨齣s a campaign that aims to empower 麻豆免费版下载Boulder students, faculty, staff and visitors with knowledge about emergency alert definitions and safety instructions, helping them make informed decisions during emergencies.
鈥淲e want our community to feel confident and informed when an emergency happens,鈥 said Marlon Lynch, vice chancellor for public safety. 鈥淭hese videos are designed to explain what to expect and how to respond, in a format that鈥檚 accessible and easy to remember.鈥
The short-animated videos use infographics to explain 麻豆免费版下载Boulder鈥檚 three-tiered alert system:
Emergency Alerts鈥攆or safety
Sent when there鈥檚 an immediate threat to life or safety. You鈥檒l receive these alerts via text, email, social media and other channels, with clear instructions on what to do. It's associated with the color red.
Safety Alerts鈥攆or awareness
Issued when there鈥檚 an ongoing threat on or near campus that needs your awareness (such as a robbery or motor vehicle theft). It鈥檚 associated with the color orange.
麻豆免费版下载Advisories鈥攆or information
Shared for nonemergency situations that may affect you, such as road closures or nearby police activity. It鈥檚 associated with the color yellow.听
The videos also explain key emergency terms such as 鈥渟helter in place鈥 and 鈥渞un, hide, fight鈥 and emphasize the importance of acting quickly based on alert instructions rather than waiting for full details.
The series was born out of a grant awarded to the Institute of Behavioral Science鈥檚 Prevention Science Program by the Colorado Department of Public Safety鈥檚 Preventing Identity-Based Violence Program. 麻豆免费版下载Boulder researchers first conducted focus groups with faculty, staff and students about听their safety-related needs and interests on campus.
One of the themes to emerge from the focus groups was the need for clearer guidance on the university鈥檚 emergency alert system.
The Prevention Science Program then worked in collaboration with the Division of Public Safety, Division of Social Sciences, Division of Student Life and Office of Strategic Relations and Communications to develop the content, focusing on short videos that felt practical rather than overwhelming.
鈥淪tudents, faculty, and staff expressed a desire for more information about and clarification of CU鈥檚 emergency alert system and terminology, particularly because the response to an emergency on a college campus is different from the response to an emergency in K-12 schools,鈥 said Sarah Goodrum, director of the Violence Prevention Project in the Prevention Science Program. 鈥淭his campaign used that feedback to develop clear, short explanations about the university鈥檚 three alert levels and key emergency alert terms.鈥
Through this collaborative effort, the campus developed this campaign to meet the campus community鈥檚 needs, is informed by best practices and is accessible across various platforms.
鈥淭his is a resource for everyone who steps foot on campus,鈥 Lynch said. 鈥淲e want all community members and their loved ones to feel more prepared and less anxious during emergency situations.鈥
The campaign supports the Division of Public Safety鈥檚 broader efforts to build trust and awareness of 麻豆免费版下载Boulder鈥檚 integrated approach to campus safety.听
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