CaseWARN FAQ
Understanding the CaseWARN Alert System
Why is the university implementing a text messaging alert system?
What text messaging system is the university using?
How often will I receive alerts?
How will the university decide when to send an alert?
What devices can I receive alerts on?
Will my phone number and personal information be used for other purposes?
Will I receive unsolicited messages or SPAM from the CaseWARN system?
Is there a charge for the alert messages?
Subscribing to CaseWARN Alerts
How do I subscribe to the alerts?
How can I confirm that my subscription is working?
What number should I provide in order to receive the alerts?
Can I use my residence hall phone number for voicemail alerts?
How many phone numbers can I enter into the CaseWARN system?
Can my parents or family members sign up for the alerts?
Do I need to download software on my phone or PDA in order to receive the alerts?
When will I start receiving alerts?
Testing of the CaseWARN Alert System
Will the university test the alert system?
I signed up for the CaseWARN alerts, so why didn’t I receive a message during the testing?
The notification for my CaseWARN subscription is on, so why am I not receiving the test messages?
Why did I receive my CaseWARN test message later than my friends or colleagues?
Do I need to respond to a CaseWARN test mesage?
Receiving a CaseWARN Alert
How will I know when I have received an alert?
Why does the CaseWARN message come from the 24639 number?
What should I do when I receive an alert?
What will a message from the CaseWARN system say?
What does the “Resp” and the 800 number at the end of a CaseWARN text message mean?
Do I need to reply to the text or call a number to acknowledge receipt of the message?
What is the ID number listed at the bottom of the CaseWARN text message?
Why can’t I better understand the voice mail message from the CaseWARN system?
When I receive an alert, how can I find out more about the incident?
What if I do not receive the alert?
Updating Information in the CaseWARN System
Can I change my emergency notification preference in the alert system?
If I change cell phone carriers but my number remains the same, do I need to update my preferences?
When will the university deactivate my subscription to the alerts?
How do I unsubscribe to the alerts if I change my mind and no longer want to receive them?
Understanding the CaseWARN System
What is the CaseWARN system?
The CaseWARN system is the university’s new rapid text messaging and voice notification network added in fall 2007. CaseWARN is an opt-in alert system for faculty, staff and students.
Why is the university implementing a text messaging alert system?
In the spring of 2007 Case Western Reserve University established a special security task force to review university-wide crisis systems and, if necessary, to develop additional means to improve safety. The task force communications subcommittee recommended the university add a rapid alert text messaging system to its emergency communication network.
Besides the new text and voice messages, in what ways will the university notify me of a campus emergency?
The university utilizes a network of varied communication vehicles to inform its campus community. In addition to the new text and voice rapid alert system, the university will use its telephone hotline (216-368-WARN), targeted e-mail messages, various Web notices and security alerts in Case Daily, among others.
What text messaging system is the university using?
The university is implementing the W.A.R.N.™, the Wide Area Rapid Notification system, which is a product of W.A.R.N., LLC. The W.A.R.N. system recently has been installed to manage the City of Cleveland’s “Care Calls” program for the Department of Aging. The W.A.R.N. system has the potential to send both text and voice messages directly to wired telephones, cellular or digital phones, PDAs, fax and e-mail.
How does my CaseWARN number differ from the emergency notification numbers I have on file with the registrar and/or human resources department?
The emergency notification numbers you have on file with the registrar or human resources department are in case of a personal emergency. In case something happens to you as an individual, the university will use those numbers to reach the people you have indicated as your own personal emergency contacts. The CaseWARN notification numbers are the numbers at which the university can reach you in case of a campus-wide emergency.
How often will I receive alerts?
The university will use the rapid text and voice messaging alert system only in the case of imminent danger or a serious threat to the campus community.
How will the university decide when to send an alert?
The university’s senior leadership team, including Case Police and Security Services, will review any elevated incident within minutes of its being reported and, based on the evidence available, decide if the situation presents imminent danger or a serious threat to the campus community and, therefore, warrants use of the rapid alert system.
What devices can I receive alerts on?
Right now the system will send both text and voice messages directly to your wired residence hall, office or other telephone; cellular or digital phone; or PDA. Currently, you can select your preference for a text or voice message or chose both text and voice. You also can enter two different numbers or enter the same number twice if you would like to have both a text and voice message sent to the same phone.
Will my phone number and personal information be used for other purposes?
No, the contact information that you enter into the CaseWARN directory will only be provided to W.A.R.N.™ for the explicit purposes of notifying you in the event of an emergency. W.A.R.N.™ does not have rights to sell, disclose or trade your contact information or to use it for any purpose other than notifying you via the CaseWARN rapid notification service. Only the individuals employed by the university who must use this information to administer and manage the CaseWARN system will have access to your contact information.
Will I receive unsolicited messages or SPAM from the CaseWARN system?
No, the CaseWARN system has a rigid security policy in which only authorized personnel have access to send messages using the service. In addition, the contact information that you enter into the CaseWARN directory will only be provided to W.A.R.N.™ for the explicit purposes of notifying you in the event of an emergency. W.A.R.N.™ does not have rights to sell, disclose or trade your contact information or to use it for any purpose other than notifying you via the CaseWARN rapid notification service.
Is there a charge for the alert messages?
The university does not charge for the CaseWARN service. Depending on your wireless carrier provider and the plan you have, you may be charged a nomimal fee (sometimes 10 or 15 cents per message) to receive SMS text messages. For those with unlimited text messaging plans, there should be no additional charge.
Subscribing to CaseWARN Alerts
How do I subscribe to the alerts?
To subscribe to the CaseWARN alert system, go to the Emergency Notifications sign on page. Enter your Case username and password for the university's single sign on service, and you will automatically be directed to the Emergency Notification page. Chose whether you want to receive a text or voice message and fill in the appropriate phone number and wireless carrier if applicable. You must be a Case Western Reserve University faculty, staff or student to subscribe to the service.
How can I confirm that my CaseWARN subscription is working?
Information on your notification status is contained on the CaseWARN subscription page. When you first add a number, your notification status will be listed as Pending Notification: On. Once the subscription has been activated, your status will be changed to Notification: On. In addition, the university periodically will send test messages to check the CaseWARN system.
What number should I provide in order to receive the alerts?
Since the CaseWARN system will be used to notify you in an emergency situation, the university strongly recommends that you provide contact information for you, the subscriber, and the number at which you are most likely to receive a message at any time of day or night, such as your cell phone number.
Can I use my residence hall phone number for voicemail alerts?
Yes, you can receive voice alerts on your residence hall phone unless you share voicemail with a roommate. Currently, the CaseWARN system is unable to leave a message on shared voicemail systems. The university strongly recommends that you provide the number at which you are most likely to receive a message at any time of day or night, such as your cell phone number.
How many phone numbers can I enter into the CaseWARN system?
Currently, you can select your preference for a text or voice message or chose both text and voice. You also can enter two different numbers or enter the same number twice if you would like to have both a text and voice message sent to the same phone.
Can my parents or family members sign up for the alerts?
No, currently you must be a Case Western Reserve University faculty, staff or student to subscribe to the CaseWARN service.
Do I need to download software on my phone or PDA in order to receive the alerts?
No, the CaseWARN system uses standard industry SMS text and text-to-voice messaging protocol. Your wireless device and your plan will need to accommodate text messages to work properly.
When will I start receiving alerts?
Your subscription generally becomes active a few hours after you sign up and turn the notification on. The rapid text and voice alert system, however, will be used only in the case of imminent danger or a serious threat to the campus community.
Testing of the CaseWARN Alert System
Will the university test the alert system?
Yes, the university expects to send test messages to subscribers periodically after the initial signup. Information about upcoming tests will be included in Case Daily and sent to faculty, staff and students through e-mail.
I signed up for the CaseWARN alerts, so why didn’t I receive a message during the testing?
When you sign up for CaseWARN alerts, you must click the “turn notification on” button. Even if you include phone numbers, you will not be fully subscribed to the system until you turn on the notification.
The notification for my CaseWARN subscription is on, so why am I not receiving the test messages?
Message delivery and the timeliness of the delivery are not guaranteed and depend on a variety of factors, including life in the battery of the mobile device, signal strength, traffic on the specific cell tower in use, among others. The university will notify the campus community of emergencies through various communication vehicles, including its telephone hotline (216-368-WARN), targeted e-mail messages, various Web notices and security alerts, among others. The university and W.A.R.N.™, a product of W.A.R.N., LLC, are not responsible for text or voice messages that are not received.
Why did I receive my CaseWARN test message later than my friends or colleagues?
Text or voice messages distributed at the same time may reach different mobile devices using different cell carriers at different times. Message delivery and the timeliness of the delivery are not guaranteed and depend on a variety of factors, including life in the battery of the mobile device, signal strength, traffic on the specific cell tower in use, among others. The university will notify the campus community of emergencies through various communication vehicles, including its telephone hotline (216-368-WARN), targeted e-mail messages, various Web notices and security alerts, among others. The university and W.A.R.N.™, a product of W.A.R.N., LLC, are not responsible for text or voice messages that are not received.
Do I need to respond to a CaseWARN test mesage?
During a test, the CaseWARN text or voice message will provide you with instructions for any response needed. You may be asked to dial a phone number to acknowledge receipt of the message or you may be instructed to go to a Web site and complete a short survey. In either case, be sure to record the letter and number of the test you are taking part in—it will be included in the message—and the exact time that you received the message.
Receiving a CaseWARN Alert
How will I know when I have received an alert?
The Caller ID function on your cell phone or wired telephone (if available) will display the five-digit number 24639 for a text message and 1-866-609-8026 for a voice message coming from the CaseWARN system. If your wireless device has the capabilities, you can add the number(s) to your address book as CaseWARN and/or assign a specific ring to messages that come from the number(s).
Why does the CaseWARN message come from the 24639 number?
The five-digit number is called a vendor routing number. This number is a unique “short code” identifier that cell phone carriers need in order to determine whether a text message is coming from a legitimate source. In this case, 24639 indicates the mesage is from the CaseWARN system.
What should I do when I receive an alert?
The CaseWARN alert will include instructions on what action(s) you may need to take. Additional information on the situation will be made available as soon as possible on the CaseWARN Web site and/or the university’s telephone hotline (216-368-WARN), as well as through other communication vehicles, like regular e-mail.
What will a message from the CaseWARN system say?
The message—which can only be 140 characters in length or it will be delivered as two or more separate messages—will briefly describe the incident that poses an imminent threat to the campus community, the location of the incident an any actions you should take. The message also will direct you to the CaseWARN Web site for additional information as it becomes available.
What does the “Resp” and the 800 number at the end of a CaseWARN text message mean?
The “Resp” and 800 number is a feature made available by the CaseWARN vendor. You can call this 800 number if you want to hear the voice version of the text message or if you want to hear the voice message a second time. You will need the notification ID number that follows the 800 number in order to retrieve the message.
What is the ID number listed at the bottom of the CaseWARN text message?
You will need this nine-digit notification ID number if you want to hear the voice version of the text message or if you want to hear the voice message a second time. When you dial the 800 number listed under "Resp," you will be asked to enter the notification ID in order to retrieve the message.
Do I need to reply to the text or call a number to acknowledge receipt of the message?
No. In the case of an emergency, you need to follow the instructions given as part of the message. Your first priority should be your safety.
When I receive an alert, how can I find out more about the incident?
Additional information on the situation will be made available as soon as possible on the CaseWARN Web site and/or the university’s telephone hotline (216-368-WARN), as well as through other communication vehicles, like regular e-mail.
What if I do not receive the alert?
The university will notify the campus community of emergencies through various communication vehicles, including its telephone hotline (216-368-WARN), targeted e-mail messages, various Web notices and security alerts in Case Daily, among others. The university and W.A.R.N.™, a product of W.A.R.N., LLC, are not responsible for text or voice messages that are not received. Message delivery and the timeliness of the delivery are not guaranteed, and subscribers are responsible for keeping their information current.
Updating Information in the CaseWARN System
Can I change my emergency notification preference in the alert system?
Yes, you can update your CaseWARN emergency alert preference and number at any time by going to the subscription page and adding new or changing existing information.
If I change cell phone carriers but my number remains the same, do I need to update my preferences?
Yes, anytime there is a change in your alert notification phone number, wireless carrier or preference for voice or text messages, you will want to update your information on the CaseWARN subscription page.
When will the university deactivate my subscription to the alerts?
The university will not automatically deactivate your subscription to CaseWARN when you leave the university. You will need to go to the subscription page and clear your information or turn your notification off.
How do I unsubscribe to the alerts if I change my mind and no longer want to receive them?
You can unsubscribe to the CaseWARN emergency notifications at any time by going to the subscription page and clearing your information or turning the notification off.