PurdueALERT tests scheduled for both West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses during Boiler Gold Rush

Tests of the PurdueALERT emergency warning notification system are scheduled for 10:50 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 14) for the West Lafayette campus and Thursday (Aug. 15) for Purdue University in Indianapolis. The tests will take place during Boiler Gold Rush (BGR), the weeklong orientation program for incoming students.

West Lafayette

As part of the test on the West Lafayette campus, the all-hazards outdoor emergency warning sirens will be activated weather permitting. The test will help students know what to listen for and what to do during a potential campus emergency. In an actual emergency, the sirens mean to immediately seek shelter in the nearest building. 

The test will also include text messaging, email, X/Twitter updates (@purdueemergency), digital signs, desktop pop-up alerts, Alertus beacons in classrooms and BoilerTV updates. The Campus Emergency Status webpage will be updated in the event of an actual emergency.

Students will also participate in an evacuation drill during BGR. Students will be guided to safely evacuate Elliott Hall of Music and several other buildings. 

Indianapolis

In Indianapolis, the PurdueALERT test will include text messaging and email. In an actual emergency, the Campus Emergency Status webpage will also be updated for the Indianapolis campus.

All students, faculty and staff on both campuses are encouraged to sign up for emergency text message notifications. 

“As members of the Purdue community plan to spend time on both campuses, we want them to be prepared for an emergency at either location,” said Jefferson Howells, director of Emergency Preparedness and Planning. “We hope these tests will serve as a reminder to sign up for emergency text messages for both campuses.”

Emergency Preparedness and Planning is part of Administrative Operations. The organization supports the university by providing safe, reliable and transformative services. Ensuring the campus communities know how to respond in the event of an actual emergency is just one of the ways the organization helps power Purdue. 

More information is available on the Emergency Preparedness and Planning website.