Over the past year, our campus community has experienced incidents that serve as important reminders that emergencies can happen anywhere. From the bomb threat at the library last February to the off-campus car-jacking that resulted in a shelter-in-place for Promontory residents, these events highlight a simple but important reality: timely information matters.
As a recent CSUMB alum and now member of the University’s emergency management team, I have seen firsthand how important it is for students, faculty, and staff to receive accurate information quickly. Making sure you are properly set up to receive campus emergency notifications is one of the most essential steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you.
Most people are familiar with OtterAlert. It is the emergency notification you get via email, and if you are proactive, you also have connected your phone number so these messages can be sent via text. Unfortunately, the reality is that only a very small percentage of the community has ticked this box and are not checking their school email enough to catch an important emergency notification. This is where the CSUMB SAFE app steps in.
CSUMB SAFE should be every Otter’s primary campus safety tool. The app delivers real-time push notifications directly to users phones during emergencies and urgent situations. Beyond that, it serves as the centralized safety hub. It provides direct access to contacts such as the University Police and the non-emergency phone number. The Friend Walk service allows users to share their location in real time with a trusted contact while walking to a destination, this is increasingly valuable during evening hours or while you may be in less populated areas.
The app also supports anonymous and non-anonymous tip reporting, empowering community members to report concerning behavior safely and discreetly. There are integrated campus maps including evacuation, parking, and transportation maps. Wildlife information is also provided to familiarize the community on what critters call CSUMB home. CSUMB SAFE is also a great way to access the Wave Shuttle tracking website.
One of the newest and most impactful additions is the Med Kit Locations feature. This tool identifies the locations of first aid kits, AEDs, trauma kits, and Narcan locations across campus. In a medical emergency, knowing exactly where life-saving equipment is located can significantly reduce response time and potentially save a life.
Preparedness is never about fear, it is about awareness and responsibility. Downloading the CSUMB SAFE app, enabling the push notifications, and familiarizing yourself with its features are simple steps that strengthen the safety of our Otter Raft.
CSUMB SAFE is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Sincerely,
Kendal Nakamura
CSUMB Emergency Management Volunteer
This message is approved by Interim Emergency Manager Yvonne Gordon.