Case Study: Durham College achieves campus-wide, AODA-compliant one-touch emergency notification with Alertus Technologies

Durham College - Customer Case Study

Durham College, partnered with Ontario Tech University and serving a combined campus population of 40,000+, faced a critical gap in emergency communications after a 2011 bomb threat exposed limitations of PA and email alerts. To extend reach and enable one-touch activation, Durham College adopted Alertus Technologies’ mass notification solution (beginning in 2015), including the Alertus Activator App and campus devices such as IP speakers, alert beacons, LED marquees, horns, digital signage override and RSS feed.

Alertus Technologies implemented an interoperable, campus‑wide system with one-button activation, 24/7 coverage, and daily test reporting from Alertus tech support; Durham runs semi‑annual full-campus exercises and three staff can activate alerts from anywhere via the Activator App. The deployment improved reach and speed of notifications across both institutions, supports AODA compliance efforts for 2025, and delivers measurable operational assurance through routine tests and campus-wide drills.

Durham College

Thomas Bezruki

Manager of Emergency Management