Emergency notification systems testing begins tomorrow

A message from WFU Communications and External Relations

Bottom Line, Up Front: Emergency testing will include a new feature – a full-screen desktop pop-up alert – on faculty and staff computers on the Wake Forest network or VPN.

This is a reminder that tests of Wake Forest emergency alert systems will be conducted tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 27 and on Thursday, Feb. 29. System tests will occur on both days between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The tests are being conducted to ensure that the University’s emergency notification systems are operating properly.

Reminder: Wake Forest has added Alertus Desktop to its emergency communication tools. Alertus Desktop is a mass notification desktop alerting software that immediately grabs attention with a full-screen desktop pop-up alert. This new alert tool will be tested on faculty and staff computers only. Faculty and staff working remotely will not receive an alert on their Wake Forest laptop unless they happen to be connected to VPN at the time the alert goes out. Students will receive more information in March on how to download Alertus Desktop software to their laptops. Read more on Inside WFU.

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

Here is what to expect:

• Wake Alert Testing – Students, faculty and staff will receive test messages starting at 9 a.m. on Feb. 27. These include notification via email, voicemail and text. A banner will be posted on the University website, and messages will be shared via @WakeAlert Twitter and posted on the Wake Alert Facebook page. Please update your mobile phone information to receive emergency notifications from Wake Forest by text or phone.  
• The Alertus Desktop takeover will be tested on faculty and staff computers only. Read more on Inside WFU about this new desktop pop-up emergency alert tool.
• The Emergency Alert System will send test messages to every TV that is connected to the campus cable network. This also includes the Stream2 app on any personal device, AppleTV, laptop, phone, etc., if you are logged in and watching at the time. 
• The outdoor emergency alert system will also be tested.

No action is required to the alert messages during these tests. Testing will be carried out by the University Police Department and the Office of Communications and External Relations. 

In addition to the testing procedures outlined above, emergency preparedness for members of the Wake Forest community requires each of us to review the University’s Emergency response, evacuation procedures and notification of immediate threat as posted on InsideWFU.