Reminder: Indoor emergency alert systems to be tested May 6 through May 8

May 5, 2020

This announcement was emailed to faculty and staff on May 5; it was also be shared by Residence Life and Housing with students living on campus.  The emailed message did not contain the detailed list of buildings that is contained in this post for Inside WFU.

This is a reminder that indoor emergency alert systems on Reynolda Campus will be tested starting on May 6 and continuing through May 8.

Indoor emergency alert systems in many academic, administrative and athletics buildings will be tested. Testing will take place daily between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

No testing will take place in residence halls during those days.

Building occupants will hear a series of voice announcements from speakers declaring emergencies during the testing.  No action will be required by anyone who hears the announcements made during the tests.

Previously recorded messages will announce such situations as an active shooter, an armed intruder, a tornado and a general weather alert. Announcements directing people to shelter in place and to evacuate a building will be made, too.  An all clear message will be announced, as well.

The messages likely will be heard throughout the buildings; they will be audible for some people outside the buildings.

Indoor alert systems are part of Wake Forest’s comprehensive  Wake Alert emergency notification system.  Not all Wake Forest buildings have indoor alert systems, but they are present in many residence halls, dining areas, administrative buildings, academic buildings and athletics facilities.

The Wake Alert system also makes emergency announcements through the University’s web site (including the Wake Alert web page), e-mail, voice mail and text alerts (registered cell phones), social media and an outdoor alert system.  Those alert methods will not be tested May 6-8.

If an actual emergency were to occur on the testing dates, the University would use numerous alert methods to inform the campus.

Testing Schedule for May 6-8:

May 6 testing will take place at these locations:  Alumni Hall, Farrell Hall, North Chiller building, North Campus Dining, Worrell Professional Center, WFDD building, Wait Chapel/Wingate Hall, Benson University Center, Reynolda Hall, Reynolds Gym/Sutton Center, McCreary Field House and other athletics building in the complex, Salem Hall and Winston Hall.

May 7 testing will take place at these locations: Tribble Hall, Scales Fine Arts Center, Carswell Hall, Greene Hall, Byrum Welcome Center, Facilities Management, South Chiller building, Environmental Health and Services building, ROTC building, Starling Hall, Dailey Golf Learning Center, and the Haddock House.

May 8 testing will take place at these locations: clubhouse at Couch Baseball Park, ACC control room, and the Harold Pollard Center.