VCU will conduct a test of the VCU Alert system on Sept. 9

By Brian McNeill

Virginia Commonwealth University Emergency Management will conduct a full test of the VCU Alert system at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 9. This will include activation of several safety mechanisms:

• Outdoor sirens on the Monroe Park Campus, MCV Campus and at VCU Police Headquarters (224 E. Broad St.).
• Alertus boxes located inside residence halls, classrooms and high-volume areas.
• VCU Alert text messages before, during and after the test.

The biannual alert system test will include a one-minute siren activation, along with Alertus boxes, text messages, mass email, digital signs, desktop alerts, the LiveSafe app, the VCU Mobile app and VCU Alert website updates. These elements are part of VCU's multichannel system for communicating emergency information to the university, health system and surrounding community.

Ten minutes prior to the start of the test, VCU Alert emergency text and email subscribers will receive a message indicating that testing begins at noon; they will also receive a second message at noon to signify the start of the test. VCU Police will send out additional messages once alert system testing has concluded.

VCU Police never activate the emergency alert system unless it has been confirmed there is a serious, active threat to the community.

The following list contains more information about VCU's emergency alert technologies:

• Outdoor sirens: The outdoor siren system consists of multiple sirens strategically located across both campuses. Sirens on the Monroe Park Campus, MCV Campus and VCU Police headquarters can be activated to signal that an immediate, life-threatening emergency has occurred or may be imminent. The purpose of the siren is to alert people outside buildings that there is an active threat to their safety. Outdoor sirens will never sound alone and will always be activated in conjunction with other communication methods that notify individuals about the type of emergency occurring and what actions they should take.
• Alertus boxes: These small yellow devices are strategically installed in high-volume areas throughout VCU's campuses. The devices transmit audio and visual alerts, which include protective action statements that scroll on the screen.
• Text messages: These messages provide short protective-action statements and contain a link to www.alert.vcu.edu. VCU students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in VCU Alert text messaging. Parents and community members also may sign up for the university's text message alert system.
• Mass email: All VCU email account holders receive an email containing safety recommendations related to emergency events.
• VCU Health alerts: These alerts, sent to VCU Health team members, include information on the emergency situation as well as procedures and protocols specific to clinical operations at VCU Medical Center. These messages include a description of the issue, location details, immediate instructions to follow and additional messaging should the situation warrant.
• LiveSafe & VCU Mobile app notifications: All VCU LiveSafe and VCU Mobile users receive a "push" message through the VCU LiveSafe app that would include emergency alerting information.
• Desktop alerts: Most VCU and VCU Health supported computers provide notifications on workstations located in offices, laboratories, classrooms and study spaces. These messages will contain protective action statements related to the event.

VCU Police can be reached in an emergency by calling 804-828-1234 or 911. Tips may also be submitted through the VCU LiveSafe app.