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DukeALERT Emergency System To Be Tested Oct. 22

Outdoor sirens will include a tone-only warning during system-wide functional test

A DukeALERT test is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, at 10 a.m.
A DukeALERT test is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m.

As part of its emergency preparedness plans, Duke will test the DukeALERT mass notification system on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Beginning at 10 a.m., outdoor warning sirens will sound and the emergency DukeALERT website will be activated. Shortly afterward, faculty, all students and staff will receive a test email. In addition, a text message will be sent to the cell phones of all students and those staff who have registered to receive the service. Registering for text messaging is simple for those who have not yet signed up. More information is available on the DukeALERT website. Duke's information line (919) 684-INFO will also provide a recorded message during the text.

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The sirens that comprise the outdoor warning system will no longer include a pre-recorded message.

When the sirens wail for a test or emergency situation, Duke community members and visitors who are outside will only hear a tone as part of the alert, which may be repeated during real emergencies. The new siren tone is considered an "all hazards" alert to get the community's attention and will be activated for any type of emergency that requires people to take shelter immediately.

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. 

When the sirens go off in a real campus emergency, community members should consider the acronym, "S.O.S.": Seek shelter immediately, Obtain information from DukeALERT emails and text messages and emergency.duke.edu and Stay tuned for further instructions.

A test is conducted during the fall and spring 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.

Download and post this flier to help promote and raise awareness about the test.