Purdue to test emergency notification system's layers
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University will test all layers of its emergency notification system on Thursday (Jan. 12).
The Purdue Alert test begins at 10 a.m. and will be used to ensure that the various layers of the system are working properly and to simulate a live situation for practice, said Purdue emergency preparedness director Ron Wright. The test will include sirens.
The alert system includes campus-wide emailing, text messaging, the Purdue home page, sirens, and the Boiler TV alert system. The alert posted to the Purdue homepage will state:
"This is the semi-annual test of the Purdue emergency warning notification system," said Ron Wright, senior director of emergency preparedness. "This test simulates a level 1 incident. No action is necessary. However, we do recommend that everyone review the Your Campus Your Safety annual security report at https://www.purdue.edu/police/pdf/YourCampus.pdf. The publication contains emergency information, and important fire and crime statistics. A paper copy is available at the Purdue Police Department."
If there is inclement weather, the siren test will be canceled.
To register to receive emergency text message notifications, go to https://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue, click on "Change My Emergency Contact Number," enter your Purdue account name and password, click on "Emergency Contact Information" and enter your cell phone number.
Wright said the campus community should also take a few moments to review emergency procedures and prepare for emergencies. At a minimum, he said, everyone should do the following:
* Review the Emergency Procedures Guide that provides "how to respond" information for natural and human-caused incidents at https://www.purdue.edu/emergency_preparedness/flipchart/index.html
* Review their building emergency plan to ensure they know evacuation routes and shelter-in-place locations. A video for shelter-in-place procedures is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9F3eA-VLxA
* Review the Purdue Alert procedures and how one will be notified of emergencies at https://www.purdue.edu/emergency_preparedness/warning_system.htm
* Develop an individual plan.
For more information on Purdue's Emergency Preparedness programs, see the Emergency Preparedness website at https://www.purdue.edu/emergency_preparedness/?
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Ron Wright, 765-494-0446, rdwright@purdue.edu