Alert system receives House support

By Adam Smeltz, asmeltz@centredaily.com

HARRISBURG — A resolution urging Pennsylvania's colleges and universities to adopt advanced emergency-alert systems won broad support Wednesday in the state House, passing in a 201-0 vote.

State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, introduced the measure shortly after the massacre April 16 at Virginia Tech. Thirty-two people were killed.

Conklin has said that emergency-communication technology already in place at Penn State could serve as a model for other colleges and universities. Penn State uses an array of cell-phone-based text messaging, e-mail and other alerts to notify students and employees of immediate danger.

Among the co-sponsors of the Conklin resolution was state Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Houtzdale. The measure is nonbinding.

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Adam Smeltz can be reached at 231-4631.