Regroup’s Volcano Preparedness Guide

There are more than 150 active volcanoes in the United States and its territories, meaning millions of Americans live, work, or vacation in areas primed for volcanic activity that could happen at any time. For example, experts predict Alaska’s Mount Cleveland could erupt soon. Chris Waythomas, a research geologist with the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage says the pending eruption is only a matter of time: “For me, it’s not a question of if, it’s when.” As there is no way of predicting when Mount Cleveland, or any volcano will erupt, the best defense for citizens, governments and organizations is to prepare in advance, including having a dependable, easy-to-use mass notification system (MNS) in place like Regroup Mass Notification.

When evaluating the right MNS platform for your town or business, make sure it offers the following features:

Federal Alerting Technology Integration
The ability to automatically send and receive volcanic activity updates, warnings and all-clear messages from federal alert systems like FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is crucial. Make sure your MNS can automatically broadcast these messages through multiple communication channels.

Geo-Targeted Messaging
Sending timely alerts to recipients inside or outside specified areas on a map is crucial during emergencies. Regroup’s GeoFence messaging empowers MNS administrators to alert recipients with specific messages when they are located inside or outside of specified areas on a map. Regroup is also the only MNS to offer the option to add entry and exit messages for people who are traveling into and out of those selected areas.

Automated Critical Alerts
An automated emergency notification process accelerates the transmission of critical alerts and reduces the margin for human error. In a crisis, having the ability to issue evacuation orders or instruct people to shelter-in-place — automatically, without any human intervention at a moment’s notice — can save valuable time and lives.

Unified Emergency Communications
Ensure your MNS will allow for rapid transmission of critical alerts to multiple communication channels, simultaneously, including: digital signage, PA systems, websites, and social media — all with a single click from a user-friendly interface.

In addition to having a dependable MNS platform in place, here are some additional tips to help your business and employees before a volcanic eruption:

• Stay informed about the natural hazards and threats where you live
• Always have an emergency kit packed. Items in your kit could include:
  • A three-day supply of water (plan for one gallon per person per day)
  • Plenty of non-perishable food
  • Extra clothes for each person traveling
  • A first aid kit with necessary medications
• Have a plan in place for where to meet, who has what responsibilities for communicating, and how to maintain business continuity whenever possible

Citizens, local governments, and organizations located near volcanoes need to take precautions even if the volcano is not currently active. When every second counts, having the right MNS in place will help protect lives and businesses by providing crucial advance notice.

For more on what to do before, during and after a volcanic eruption, visit the Red Cross’ volcano preparedness resource page. You can also sign up to be notified of any nearby volcanic activity via the U.S. Geological Survey website. Finally, visit the Regroup Blog for tips on how organizations can increase their emergency preparedness.

About Regroup:
Regroup Mass Notification empowers better mass communication that keeps people safe and informed at all times. The company’s award-winning, cloud-based mass communication platform allows civic entities and emergency management teams effective, reliable tools for alerting and protecting communities during times of crisis. Learn more about how Regroup can help organizations quickly and efficiently share critical information — both life-threatening and day-to-day — by calling 775-476-8710, taking advantage of a free demo at Regroup.com/demo or emailing inquiries@regroup.com.