It's the worst mass shooting in modern US history. A year ago today the Virginia Tech campus was rocked by a deadly shooting spree. A student opened fire - killing 32 other students and staff -- before turning the gun on himself. At the center of what went wrong - experts say - is what University leaders didn't communicate to those on campus that day. It's prompted schools like Georgia Southern to develop its crisis communication plan. 3 On Your Side Crime and Safety reporter Kaitlyn Pratt shows us how this University learned from another's loss.
In the time it takes to walk to class, Georgia Southern's seventeen thousand students would know about an emergency. The University - debuting its "Eagle Alert" system this semester.
"We've actually used it during some bad weather in March. It sends out phone and text messages to all our faculty, staff, students," explains Major Michael Russell.
The technology - a tactic put in place after the Virginia Tech shootings.
"It's your worst nightmare." Russell reflects.
Different scenarios - like an Active Shooter - are already uploaded. A few more details typed in, and school leaders can quickly communicate a threat.
"You shouldn't have to be ready for these types of things. It's almost an impossibility, but you have to work towards it and be ready if you can," Russell says.
Public safety officers here are also training - learning how to deal with an active shooter - so they're ready to react. Their motivation - reinforced on this sad anniversary.
"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the people at Virginia Tech. You don't ever say it can never happen here. You hope and pray, plan and train and try to do what you can to be prepared," adds Russell.
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