Emergency systems test today
Playing it safe. The emergency systems test on Friday, March 1 will be audible to local residents and businesses, but no action is required and campus activity should proceed as normal.
As part of ongoing campus security initiatives, the University and the Security Services department will conduct a full emergency systems test on Friday, March 1, beginning at 10:20 a.m. and lasting until approximately 10:35 a.m.
Some of the activity will be audible to local residents and businesses. However, no action is required, and campus activity should proceed as normal.
“Our primary goal with this type of testing is to ensure that the campus’ integrated security system is fully operational when we need it to be,” says Terry Sullivan, director, Security and Parking Services. “Simply relying on the system to work during an actual emergency is not the best course of action.”
The test will involve four components at different intervals:
- Sounding the outdoor Emergency Siren Alert System (used during a campus lockdown)
- Sounding audible alerts on outdoor Red Assistance Phones
- Testing new LCD screens with audible and visual emergency alerts (screens are located in each academic building)
- Testing McMaster’s Emergency Mass Notification system with a SMS/text message alert (delivered to roughly 4,000 registered users, including current students and University staff)
When used during a real emergency, the Emergency Siren Alert System indicates that the campus is in a lockdown mode. In the event of a lockdown, the campus community should take shelter in the nearest room, close all entry doors and ensure the locks are fastened. They should remain quiet, act as if no one is in the room and remain still until emergency responders provide the all-clear.
Volunteers will be placed around campus Friday to measure the ability to hear the sirens from various campus locations.
“Friday will only be a drill, but it’s important to be prepared for any occurrence on campus,” says Sullivan. “Everyone at the University should be familiar with the McMaster Emergency Guidebook, which outlines our most up-to-date policies and procedures.”
Prior to next week’s drill, current students and staff are encouraged to sign up for the University’s Emergency Mass Notification system, which will also be tested.
In the event of a real campus crisis, emergency messages will be delivered to registered users via SMS text messages. More than 4,000 students and staff are currently signed-up for the service. New users can register here.
Security Services operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the University’s new Communications Centre, located in the E.T. Clarke Building. The Communications Centre integrates a number of new technologies, including a large video display screen and integrated security system management software, and is home to dispatch staff who answer calls and monitor campus alarms.
