Purdue Alert test set for Jan. 17

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University will test its emergency notification system, including sirens, at 10 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 17).

The test will be used to ensure that the system's various layers are working properly and to simulate a live situation for practice, said Ron Wright, emergency preparedness director.

The alert system includes campus-wide emailing, text messaging, the Purdue home page, sirens, and alert systems in the residence halls and on Boiler TV. The alert posted to the Purdue homepage will state:

"This is the semi-annual TEST of the Purdue emergency warning notification system. This test simulates a level 1 incident. No action is necessary. Additionally, please review the 'Your Campus Your Safety' annual security report at http://www.purdue.edu/police/reports/pdf/Annual%20Security%20Report-%20Your%20Campus_Your%20Safety_West%20Lafayette.pdf. The publication contains emergency information, and important fire & 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 http://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. Verizon Wireless subscribers are recommended to update the network information in their cell phones quarterly to help ensure they will receive the text messages. To do so, call *228 ("star" 228) and select option 2, "Update Roaming Capabilities." No action is necessary for other wireless carriers.

Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu