Emergency System To Be Tested October 23

As part of its emergency preparedness plans, Duke will test the DukeALERT mass notification system on Wednesday, October 23.

Beginning at 10 a.m., Duke will test its emergency notification system, which includes a broadcast email message to all faculty, students and staff, activation of the DukeALERT website and a text message to the cell phones of all students and those employees who have registered to receive the service. The test will also include activation of the alert web bar and use of alert messages on display screens throughout the university.

The outdoor warning system will sound shortly after 10 a.m. with a siren and test message, and Duke's information line (919) 684-INFO will also provide a recorded message.

Since this is a functional test of the system, Duke community members do not need to seek shelter or evacuate. Instead, they should take time to understand how they will be notified in the event of a life-threatening emergency like a tornado sighting or active shooter on campus. Visit the DukeALERT site for details about how to respond to different emergency scenarios. 

A test is conducted during the spring and fall semesters and during the summer, when the audience is significantly different with various camps and programs on campus.

As part of the test, Duke community members are encouraged to respond to an online survey to assess the effectiveness of various DukeALERT communication methods. The survey will be posted on the DukeALERT website once the test begins.

Survey results will help determine how people were notified, methods that work best for different groups and whether staff members know their severe weather/emergency conditions service category. The results will also help identify areas for improvement.

Print and post a flyer to help raise awareness about the test.