IU emergency alert system to participate in US test today

All IU campuses will participate in the nationwide Emergency Alert System test today.

This is the first test conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission.

“This is the first time it has been conducted in a coordinated way,” said Susan Williams, director of Emergency Communications Services.

IU Emergency Management and Continuity staff at each campus will send an email message using IU-Notify at 2 p.m. to students, faculty and staff in coordination with the national test.

The message, which will be clearly marked as a test, will also be delivered through digital signage, Facebook and Twitter. University websites will notify the campus ahead of time to expect the message.

“We are participating because we want to remind people that they should go into OneStart and update current information,” Williams said. “We want to make sure everybody gets the information in one way, if not several.”

The Emergency Alert System is a public alert and warning system that uses communication assess, including cable television, wireless cable systems and radio, to allow the U.S. president to address the public during a national emergency.

To update your IU-Notify contact information, log onto onestart.iu.edu.