DukeALERT System Test On July 20

As part of its emergency preparedness plans, Duke will test the DukeALERT mass notification system on Wednesday, July 20.

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.

The sirens that comprise the outdoor warning system no longer include a pre-recorded message. 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 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. However, Duke community members should take the opportunity to download the free mobile safety app, LiveSafe, through the Apple App Store or Google Play. LiveSafe allows you to send real-time tips through the touch of a button to Duke Police, which monitors messages 24/7. And with the “SafeWalk” feature on the app, you can invite friends to “virtually escort” you to a destination on a real-time map.

Duke community members should also 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 system 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.

Note: Post this flier in your office to help promote the test and encourage faculty and staff to register for DukeALERT text messaging.