What information should be included in emergency notifications?

Including instructions on how to avoid harm in emergency notifications is essential, as these notifications are designed to provide immediate guidance to individuals in a critical situation. The primary goal of such notifications is to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the broader campus community by giving clear and actionable advice in response to an ongoing threat or emergency.

For instance, during an active shooter incident, an effective emergency notification may instruct individuals to "shelter in place" or "evacuate the building," significantly contributing to the overall safety of those impacted. Providing such guidance helps to minimize panic and confusion, allowing people to make informed decisions quickly.

In contrast, detailed information about counseling services, historical crime data, and responses from law enforcement, while relevant to broader campus safety and awareness, do not serve the immediate purpose of protecting individuals during emergencies. These types of information might be necessary for post-incident support or analysis but are not crucial in the urgent context of an emergency notification.