Emergency Alert System (EAS)

The safety of the Salisbury University community during an emergency is predicated on planning as well as awareness of how plans will be implemented. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be better prepared in an emergency if they know how the University will respond, where to find information, and what to do. This site is an important tool in sharing plans and providing relevant information in case an emergency arises at SU or in the surrounding area.

Emergency SMS/Text Message Alerts

SU has implemented a new system that will allow faculty, staff and students to receive emergency alert text messages. This includes information on campus closures or delays, hazardous weather and other potential situations.

How To Sign Up For Emergency SMS/Text Message Alerts
SU students and employees are encouraged to sign up for emergency alert SMS/text messages using the following steps:
1. Log into GullNet.
2. Click the Sea Gull Emergency Alert tile:
3. At the bottom of the Sea Gull Emergency Alert page, select “Opt In Emergency Text Alerts” from the drop-down menu and follow the prompt to enter a cell phone number at which text messages may be received.
4. Click Confirm.
Please note: This service is available for SU students and employees only, and only one phone number per person may be registered. SMS/text service for those opting into the system through GullNet will begin at 5 a.m. the next day. Students with cell phone numbers already registered in GullNet have been pre-registered for this system.

Messages may include notifications about campus closings and delays, weather alerts and other emergency information. User responses to these SMS/text messages will not be monitored.

To opt out of text messages, follow steps 1 and 2 above, then select “opt out” from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the Sea Gull Emergency Alert page, or respond to any text message from the system with the word “STOP.”

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) at Salisbury University was developed to provide emergency personnel with a means to rapidly communicate critical lifesaving information to the campus community. The EAS utilizes various communication technologies to increase the likelihood that a majority of the campus community will be alerted since no single solution can reach all individuals.

If Salisbury University confirms that there is an emergency or dangerous situation that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of some or all members of the SU community, University Police will determine the content of the message and will use some or all of the EAS to communicate the threat to the campus community or to the appropriate segment of the community, if the threat is limited to a particular building or segment of the population. University Police will, without delay and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless issuing a notification will, in the judgment of the first responders, compromise the efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

The EAS uses a two-wave approach to alert and inform. The first wave consists of pre-recorded messages to address a variety of emergency conditions. The messages describe the nature of the emergency and what the campus population is asked to do. The second wave of information will follow that will provide updates to the emergency, as needed.

First Alert Wave using pre-recorded messages through:

Siren alert with voice capability to facilitate outdoor communication across the campus
Emergency SMS/Text Message Alerts
E-mail
Campus cable television emergency alert system
Campus desktop computer emergency alert system

Second Alert Wave (could include some or all of the following methods):

SU homepage
Emergency web page
Emergency SMS/Text Message Alerts
E-mail
SU Facebook page
Twitter page
Signs posted at building entrances

The pre-recorded messages of the First Alert Wave have been developed to address a variety of emergency conditions. It is important that individuals understand the nature of the warnings for the alert system and what to do if a pre-recorded alert is sounded. Here are some examples:

Tornado Warning

Tornado warning – A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or is indicated by weather radar in the area of the campus. Individuals in a building should stay inside and shelter-in-place in an interior hallway or room that is away from glass doors or windows at the lowest possible level. Visit www.salisbury.edu/healthsafety/buildings for shelter-in-place detail by building. Individuals outdoors should immediately seek shelter indoors. If outdoors when a tornado approaches and a building is not accessible, lie down in a low area (ditch, etc.) and cover your head/face. The tornado warning will remain in effect until an all clear notification has been given.
Armed Intruder Warning

Armed intruder warning – An armed intruder warning means that one or more persons are armed with weapons on or in the immediate area of the campus. If you are indoors and not in the immediate vicinity of the shooter, you should secure your office/room doors, and stay quiet. Notify University Police if you know the location of the intruder(s). If possible, monitor the second alert wave resources for updates. If you are outdoors, be alert to your surroundings and seek shelter. Remember: Avoid. Deny. Defend. The armed intruder warning will remain in effect until an all clear notification has been given.
Campus Evacuation

Campus evacuation – If there is an event that requires the immediate evacuation of the entire campus, everyone is expected to stop what they are doing and leave the campus in an orderly manner. Vehicle traffic will be managed by University Police with possible assistance by county and city agencies, as available. Evacuation will remain in effect until an all clear notification has been given.
Seek Shelter

Seek shelter – An event other than a tornado which requires the campus community to seek shelter immediately. Individuals should close windows, doors and take shelter in areas away from the glass. Remain indoors until an all clear notification has been given. ALSO SEE: Lockdown
Get Information

Get information – If an emerging situation occurs that is not described by the other messages, this message is intended to direct individuals to seek the second wave information sources for updates on the nature of the emergency situation. If available, an e-mail will be the most likely source of update information.