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May 14, 2007 6:54 pm US/Eastern
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Get The Word Out With Alertify Mass Alert System
Click Here for Alertify website
or call 1-888-98-OMVOX, ext 257
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FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
In the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, criticism came quickly that nobody on campus was warned that a gunman was on the loose. 33 people were killed when a mentally ill student killed two people in a dorm and then continued his violent act in a classroom building on the other side of campus.
Now, a Fort Lauderdale company called Alertify says a system like theirs could save lives in future situations.
The Alertify system sends out emergency messages through SMS (text), email, cell phone and landline phones simultaneously.
Michael Self, founder and CEO of Omvox Telecom Corp., the Fort Lauderdale based parent of Alertify told
CBS4's Ted Scouten "We can push out thousands and thousands of text messages and 30-thousand phone calls in less than 10 minutes".
In response to funding struggles in states like Florida, Omvox Telecom Corp has extended a grant program to provide its Alertify mass alerting and notification system at no cost to colleges and universities nationwide.
American Heritage School in Plantation already has the system in place. It's gotten plenty of use for simple school messages and emergency information, like if the school is placed on lockdown or if it's closing due to storms.
"During the hurricanes of last year, there was a lot of confusion over whether we would return to school and what day and with the Alertify system we were notified immediately of all the present changes," said student Kelly Chacon.
Many parents like the system because it goes to more than one phone including home phones and cell phones and they say, its reliable, fast and makes them feel better.
"It gives you a sense of peace to know your children are safe, or if they need to be picked up or if there's a situation where they're moving your children. The not knowing is what's very difficult to get through," said parent Michelle Castellanos.
Schools or universities who are interested in the Alertify program or one of the grant programs, should complete an application online at
www.alertify.com or call the company directly at
1-888-98-OMVOX, extension 257.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)