A Successful Launch to Penn SOS!

On August 20th Penn raised the bar on our PennReady Emergency Preparedness program through the introduction and successful testing of the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS). The thirteen (13) speaker system is phase two of the successful UPennAlert Emergency Notification System. The Penn SOS system’s capabilities include delivering voice intelligible emergency messages and alert tones to the outdoor campus environment. This important initiative would not have been possible without the continued support of our President Amy Gutmann, Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli and Provost Vincent Price.

Project leader Chief Gene Janda of Penn Division of Public Safety’s (DPS) Fire & Emergency Services along with Deputy Chief of Tactical and Emergency Readiness for DPS Mike Fink, Director of DPS’ PennComm Communications Center , Mitch Yanak, and Facilities and Real Estate Services Project Manager Cherrie Miller worked closely with vendors Shelley Electric, Brinjac Engineering and Baycomm Communications to ensure the efficient and effective development of the Penn SOS system. From August 18th through August 20th testing was conducted at each site, confirming system operability across the entire campus target area. Special thanks to all of the participants who assisted the engineers during the testing process, including Allied Barton Security.

Since this project affected not only the Penn community, but neighborhoods surrounding Penn’s extended campus, it was important that we keep on-going and open communications regarding the project with all of our neighbors. Our Penn SOS Communications Committee consisted of members of numerous Penn organizations, as well as: the University City District (UCD), Drexel, University of the Sciences, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Philadelphia Crime Prevention Council and the VA Medical Hospital. I commend Stef Cella, DPS Director of Operations and External Affairs for her leadership of the committee, and wish to thank the numerous members of the communications team who guided our communications during the installation and testing phases.

We appreciate all of your patience during the three days of testing to ensure the systems overall accuracy and effectiveness. Penn SOS can now be counted on as a major asset to the Penn and University City Community in the event of a critical emergency.

Penn SOS and other Division of Public Safety initiatives can be accessed on DPS’ website: http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/