DukeALERT Emergency Test Scheduled for July 16

Prepare by reviewing how to respond during an unexpected emergency

Duke Alert graphic

As part of its regular testing of the DukeALERT notification system, Duke is encouraging all students, faculty, and staff to review the guidelines for how to respond in the event of an active emergency.

“The summer and fall often bring severe weather such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornados, so it’s important for our community to know how to stay safe during those times,” said Chloe Hallberg, Executive Director for Business Continuity and Emergency Management at Duke. “But we also have to prepare for rare, but high impact events such as potential violence on campus. It’s always better to know what to do in advance.”

The test will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 16. The email and text message sent during the test will include a link to information about how to respond to different types of emergencies, including guidelines and a video with recommendations for how to respond in the event of an armed assailant on campus. The video also addresses how to recognize and report signs of suspicious or concerning behavior to help prevent violence.

The outdoor siren used during emergencies will be included as part of the test. Its 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 and what to do during a life-threatening emergency.

Duke community members are also encouraged to download Duke's LiveSafe mobile safety app for real-time, two-way communication with Duke Police. LiveSafe is available for free through Apple and Android app stores.

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

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