The University of New Mexico will conduct a test of its emergency notification systems on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 11:02 a.m. The test will include all parts of the University's warning systems including sirens, e-mail, text messaging, social media updates and UNM website notifications. All campuses will be a part of this test.
"The purpose of the test is to familiarize everyone with all of the various ways we notify the campus of an emergency or advisory,” said University Emergency Manager Byron Piatt. “It’s important to check your phones, computers and other devices during and after the test to make sure you receive the alert. Also, take a few minutes to review how you would respond in a real emergency.”
The test, which includes a shelter-in-place exercise, is done three times per year at the beginning of each semester, also gives campus first responders an opportunity to activate the various systems as part of their routine training.
How it works
Emails and texts will go out prior to the test at approximately 10:45 a.m. to notify the campus that is it coming. At 11:02 a.m. Tuesday, the sirens will sound for approximately one minute. A pause will follow and then an "all clear" siren will sound for another minute.
At the same time, text and e-mail messages will be sent via LoboAlerts, and alerts will appear on websites and social media sites.
For a siren sample, click on the respective link
Listen to the Emergency Alert
Test Preparation
To prepare for the test, all UNM and UNMH staff, faculty, affiliates and registered students are asked to log into the LoboAlerts site and update their emergency notification information and preferences. The LoboAlerts system can store and contact up to three cell phones and three e-mail addresses per person.
Piatt also suggests that individuals add the numbers 26787 and 67283 to their address books as LoboAlerts. The numbers are the common short codes used by the system to send the messages.
“It is helpful to see a text message coming from "LoboAlerts" rather than some unknown number,” he said.
On average, text messages are delivered 10 times faster than the e-mail messages. However, the timeliness of text message receipt can vary based upon type of phone, carrier, location or battery strength.
LoboAlerts is also the primary system utilized by the University in the event of inclement weather.
Non-UNM persons who work on campus, live in nearby communities, or otherwise have an interest in receiving emergency notifications can also receive LoboAlerts.
LoboAlerts are available via social media on the LoboAlerts Facebook and LoboAlerts Twitter pages, or individuals can create their own account on the LoboAlerts Community site.
For more information about these alerts and other safety measures, visit: UNM Campus Safety.
This message is UNM's semester exercise of its Campus Warning Siren System. In the event of an actual emergency, you would be provided pertinent safety information and instructions. The University of New Mexico would like to remind you of its emergency response procedures and capabilities.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This system is tested at the beginning of every semester. UNM's Emergency Management team advertises these exercises in advance. This is a good opportunity to log into the LoboAlerts System (loboalerts.unm.edu) using your UNM NetID and Password to verify your contact information and preferences.
2. If the siren sounds and you haven't been told that it would be a test, it is REAL. Heed the warning and do as instructed.
3. There are certain circumstances where it is safer to be inside rather than outside. If the "Shelter in Place" order is given and/or the campus warning siren sounds:
a. Immediately get inside the nearest building and proceed to an interior room or hallway.
b. Stay away from glass doors and windows.
c. Monitor text message alerts, campus e-mail or the UNM webpage for further information and updates.
d. Stay calm and stay put unless there is an immediate need to keave (i.e. a visible fire or life threatening situation).
e. Precisely follow all instructions from Law Enforcement or Emergency Personnel.
4. The Campus Warning Siren System includes:
a. LoboAlerts: text, email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter
b. Warning Siren.
5. We also support the LoboGuardian System (loboguardian.unm.edu). This provides additional capabilities to your smart phone including:
a. Panic Button;
b. Safety Timer; and,
c. Anonymous Tip Reporting.
6. If you face an emergency:
a. Make yourself safe
b. Warn others of the situation
c. Call for assistance. UNM PD (505) 277-2241 are responsible for ALL incidents on campus. NEVER hesitate to contact them. They also provide escort service and bicycle registration.
7. Know the plans for your department and / or building. Reference the FlipChart.
8. Become a part of our Campus Community Emergency Response Team - 3 hours, professional physical education credit (PEP 293/593; Th 4-6:30 p.m.).
Additional information can be found at UNM Campus Safety or http://campussafety.unm.edu/ and or Emanage or http://emanage.unm.edu/.
For more information about UNM's emergency preparedness activities, visit LoboRede or http://loborede.unm.edu.
To update your LoboAlerts contact information and preferences, go to LoboAlerts or http://loboalerts.unm.edu, and login with your UNM NetID and password.
If you know someone who did not receive an alert and should have, please have them contact via email, LoboAlerts@unm.edu.