Western Alert test planned for Wednesday, April 15

At 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, Western Washington University will conduct an emergency notification drill of its Western Alert system. Western Alert is a group of ways to reach students, faculty and staff with important information for your safety. Multiple ways to provide information is considered a best practice.

What to Expect. Western Alert elements that will activate on April 15 include:

  • Desktop notification on installed computers throughout campus, including offices, classrooms and computer labs where a test message will be broadcast.  Users need to only click on the green “Acknowledge” button to make the test message disappear.
  • Voice messages over the fire alarm system (building enunciation).
  • Text messages to everyone who has registered in Web4u at MyWestern.
  • Emails to every university email address.
  • A Western Alert message on Western's emergency communication webpage, emergency.wwu.edu.
  • Message on Western's Facebook page and Twitter feed.

The Big Ole steam whistle will not be tested on April 15 in order to more accurately measure the effectiveness of outside speakers.

Preparing.  When each of us is better prepared,Western will be collectively more resilient. Please take 8 minutes to watch Western's emergency preparedness video (scroll down).  Check this weblink for additional personal preparedness resources.

Concerning Behaviors. Western has a 20-minute video called Flash Point specifically to help you recognize behavioral warning signs of potentially dangerous individuals and reporting options.

What to do should violence occur.  The U.S. government has provided an under-6-minute video on your options if violence occurs called Run, Hide, Fight.