SIREN is intended to be used for high priority broadcasts only: not spam, social networking or advertising. The system works anywhere there are active Internet and cellular networks. Those who wish to receive SIREN notifications ‘opt in’ by providing information to a contact method such as a BlackBerry, cell phone, or email account. As with all the sensitive data KDI is routinely entrusted with, like financial records and student grades, this contact information is kept in the strictest of confidence, never shared, and protected on servers behind our ultra-secure NetSentron firewalls.
As seen on eSchool News!
Access to SIREN is extremely limited and protected. When you or your designated administrator determines a priority communication must be broadcast, SIREN transmits your brief message to these receivers.
Each client has their own customized SIREN website. Even if your computer network is down, as long as you can get onto the website (say through the Web browser on your cell phone), you will be able to access SIREN and send a notification.
Once you have set up your account, you may send as many SIREN alert messages to your group as you wish during the annual term, with no additional charges from us. However, please note that, depending on their individual plan, those receiving alerts may be charged a text message or other fee by their cell phone carrier.
Clients can have KDI upload their contact database as an additional service, submit the data themselves, or have their end users self-enter their information. Receivers of each SIREN notification can be limited to one or multiple Groups (eg. management, students in residence, commuting students, mobile workers), or as few as a single individual searched out of the database.
Usage Examples
Campus
With police incidents at campuses becoming common news, eSchool News published this story about the need for mass notification systems at colleges. Quoted authorities stress not only telling students what is happening, but also what to do.
SCENARIO ONE: A university has a current police incident–a dangerous and armed individual–on campus. SIREN notifies all students who have provided contact information that they should stay away, either from the entire campus or a specific area. Later, a SIREN message communicates that the situation has been resolved and it is now safe to return.
SCENARIO TWO: Snow forces closure of the campus. SIREN advises all ‘opted-in’ students that classes are canceled today.
Corporate
SCENARIO ONE: A Hazardous Materials cleanup company receives notification of a priority, extremely poisonous toxic spill on a major highway. SIREN communicates to all company HazMat cleanup crewmembers to stop working on their individual, lower priority jobs and assemble at the site of the major spill for deployment instructions.
SCENARIO TWO: An overnight fire has damaged the offices. An early-morning SIREN message, prior to their leaving for work, lets staff know to expect a difficult day.
Volunteer
SCENARIO ONE: Leadership of a political organization determines that a last-minute ‘push’ of doorknocking is required to win a specific area on Election Day. A SIREN message directs all available volunteers to move to and concentrate on that area.
SCENARIO TWO: Directors of a blood bank need donations to respond to a disaster. People who have given blood before and also ‘opted in’ receive a SIREN request for immediately-needed blood donations.
SCENARIO THREE: A community group is having a three-day festival in a large local park. All organizers and volunteers sign up to this group’s account for alert notification. When an attending child is reported missing, a SIREN alert advises the festival group to look for or keep watch for him.
SCENARIO FOUR: A league sports game is scheduled for play, but rain forces closure of the field. The league organizer sends a SIREN message to players and volunteers advising them of the move to another field across town. No one wastes their time going to the wrong field.
For more information about S I R E N, contact KDI toll free at 1.800.661.1755.
