University to test Wake Alert’s emergency text message system

April 29, 2016

Thousands of students, faculty and staff are scheduled to receive a test text message on Tuesday, May 3, from Wake Forest’s emergency notification system.

The text will be sent as a test by the University Police Department at 5 p.m. to all who have registered online to receive emergency text messages.  Anyone who has not registered may be do so by visiting the University’s Wake Ready web site athttp://wakeready.wfu.edu/alert-methods/text-alerts.  Registration by undergraduates is required. Directions are provided for arranging to receive the messages, including the test message set for May 3.

The content of the text message will be, “This is a test of the WFU Emergency Mobile Phone Alert System.  It is not necessary to reply to this message.”

Wake Forest has several methods for communicating with faculty, staff and students in the event of an emergency.  Those used will depend, largely, on the situation.  Wake Alert, the University’s emergency notification system, provides alerts and updates through the Wake Alert web site at wakealert.wfu.edu, text messaging, an outdoor warning system, indoor alert systems in some buildings, cable TV, e-mail, voice mail, the Wake Alert Twitter account, other social media and a recorded message on the Wake Forest weather and emergency phone line at 336-758-5935.  Other means may be used, too.

Also, all faculty and staff will receive a voice message on their office phone during the test.