Frequently Asked Questions

Please be alert and report any criminal incident, suspicious behavior or suspicious activity by calling 911.

The university has an Integrated Emergency Management Plan (IEMP). The plan contains policies, guidelines and procedures to follow before, during and after an emergency.

The emergency plan is reviewed and updated annually and as needed.

You must evacuate your building if the building fire alarm is activated or if directed by university public safety personnel. You should immediately proceed to an emergency assembly area as specified in your Building Emergency Plan.

• Shelter in place in an area with no immediate hazards and telephone 911. Advise the police dispatcher of your location. The use of 911 routinely identifies the location of the caller if you are calling from a Purdue University landline phone. Even if the caller is unable to speak, the dispatcher will then automatically surmise that the caller may be in trouble and will send emergency responders accordingly.
• If you are unable to call 911, advise others around you of your location and have them inform emergency personnel of your location.
• If you are in no immediate danger, remain where you are and wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
• If you are in immediate danger, move to an area where you can shelter in place.
• You are also encouraged to carry a sounding device like a small whistle, flashlight and cell phone to alert emergency personnel of your location.
• It is best to have arrangements pre-planned for evacuation assistance. Arrangements can be made to reasonably assure that assistance is provided to anyone who requires it.
  • In West Lafayette, contact the Purdue Fire Department for arrangements or questions at 765- 494-6919.

You must immediately seek shelter in the nearest facility or building (preferably in a room with no windows) when:

• You hear the All Hazards Outdoors Emergency Warning Sirens.
• Directed by PurdueALERT communications layers.
• Directed by police or fire department personnel.

Outdoor sirens will sound for a period of in excess of three minutes. If the sirens are activated, you should immediately seek safety in the nearest building and seek more clarifying information by all possible means. PurdueALERT communication layers will send out additional information. Your place of refuge will be determined by the type of emergency. Reference your Building Emergency Plan for specific locations, or use the below table as a guide:

All-Hazards Siren Guidelines

On-campus sirens are part of the Tippecanoe County warning notification system. Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency personnel may activate the sirens for countywide alerts. Moreover, University Public Safety personnel may activate the University’s sirens, independent of the county actions, to alert anyone outdoors in the Purdue University area of an emergency.

You may be required to have shelter in place for events such as:

• Tornado warning or other severe weather events
• Hazardous materials release
• Active threat, building intruder, or civil disturbance
• As directed by police personnel for any other situation that requires you to find protection within a building

While weather-related events, such as winter weather, may cause a class cancellation, it is highly unusual for classes to be canceled. The campus will continue to operate as usual unless specific, credible information is obtained indicating an increased risk to the Purdue community. This information will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by campus officials and relevant government agencies to determine the most appropriate course of action. Students, faculty, and staff should go about their normal activities unless directed otherwise.

You should always check the Purdue University Homepage or the West Lafayette Campus Emergency Status webpage for the latest information.

To receive a text message, one must opt into the system by:

• Go to https://www.purdue.edu/operations/emergency-preparedness/purduealert/
• Click on sign up for PurdueAlert
• Enter your Purdue career account info
• Click on change your cell phone number
• Enter your phone number

To unsubscribe:

• Go to https://www.purdue.edu/operations/emergency-preparedness/purduealert/
• Click on sign up for PurdueAlert
• Enter your Purdue career account info
• Click on change your cell phone number
• Enter your phone number

To ensure the prompt delivery of messages to the people directly affected by an incident on campus, the service is limited to students, faculty and staff with a Purdue.edu email.

Yes, by following @purdueALERT via X/Twitter.

Subscribing to emergency text messages is free. However, your cell phone carrier may charge you to receive text messages. Please check with your phone company for details.

PurdueALERT text messages provide you with quick but very basic information due to text limitations (160 character messages). Text messages are designed to provide you with a quick message that an incident has occurred on campus. You should avoid the area, stay vigilant to your surroundings and seek a safe place of refuge. You should also seek additional information possible to help you determine your course of action.

Send an email to ehps@purdue.edu then the Emergency Preparedness will contact you.

Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency performs a test of the county sirens (to include the sirens at Purdue) at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month except during periods of adverse weather conditions.

In addition, the seven West Lafayette university sirens are tested at the beginning of each fall and spring academic semester.

Depending on your specific question, you should be able to find additional information on the public safety websites.

Additionally, you should review the university’s Annual Security Reports.

You can also email ehps@purdue.edu.