***TEST COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY***TEST, TEST, TEST*** Baylor to Test Outdoor Tornado Sirens, Baylor Alert Emergency Communications System at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
10:03 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10, 2023
The test of Baylor University's outdoor tornado sirens and the required test of the Baylor Alert emergency notification system have been completed successfully.
10:00 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10, 2023
University tornado sirens tested successfully.
University social media channels updated with Baylor Alert test message: Twitter: @Baylor, Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaylorUniversity1845 and Instagram: www.instagram.com/bayloruniversity/.
University’s home page (www.baylor.edu) updated with Baylor Alert test message in addition to the Faculty/Staff webpage and Students webpage.
Baylor Information Line at ext. 4411 (254-710-4411) tested successfully.
“Thank you for calling the Baylor University information line. Today is Friday, February 10, 2023. This is a required test of the Baylor University information line. This line is used to communicate important information in the event of an emergency or a disruption in Baylor’s normal operations. This concludes this test of the Baylor University information line.”
9:45 a.m., Friday, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023
Baylor Alert *TEST* text message delivered to all contacts.
Text: [Baylor Alert, 9:45 a.m.]
[BAYLOR ALERT] **TEST** This is a TEST of BAYLOR ALERT emergency notification system. Outdoor sirens will sound at 10 a.m. More info: http://bit.ly/3HNKy56
9:31 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10, 2023Baylor Alert *TEST* email message delivered to all contacts.
Email: [Baylor Alert, 9:30 a.m.]
EMAIL: Subject: [BAYLOR ALERT] ***TEST** Baylor Alert Emergency Communications System TEST, Outdoor Sirens to Sound at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
9:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10, 2023
Baylor University's test of its Baylor Alert emergency communications systems is underway.
Baylor to Test Outdoor Tornado Sirens, Baylor Alert Emergency Communications System at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10
Baylor will test tornado sirens along with required testing of University emergency Baylor Alert system
Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (Feb. 8, 2023) – After weather postponed its regular first Friday siren test on Feb. 3, Baylor University will test its outdoor tornado sirens, beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10. In addition, Baylor will conduct a required test of the multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system, which is used to alert the campus community of a significant emergency or threat on or near campus.
On the first Friday of each month, Baylor joins city and county partners for regular joint testing of tornado sirens. If there is a weather-related emergency – including a tornado warning where a tornado is imminent – Baylor, the city and county will activate their outdoor sirens to alert the public to take action to stay safe. Throughout the year, Baylor will continue to test its sirens on the first Friday of each month.
What to expect from tests of outdoor sirens, Baylor Alert system
On the morning of the Feb. 10 test, the Baylor Emergency Management team will send a Baylor Alert email from baylor@getrave.com at 9:30 a.m. and a Baylor Alert text message at 9:45 a.m. to members of the Baylor community alerting them of the outdoor tornado siren testing. The text message will come from one of the following short codes: 226787, 67283, 78015 and 77295.
At 10 a.m., the outdoor tornado siren testing will begin with a test voice announcement, followed by the outdoor siren test that will last about 60 seconds.
During the testing period, Baylor also will test messages on official University social media channels @Baylor on Twitter, @BaylorUniversity1845 on Facebook and @bayloruniversity on Instagram, as well as website communications on the main Baylor website (www.baylor.edu) and the Baylor Information Line at 254-710-4411.
Feedback about the outdoor tornado siren testing can be directed to the Baylor Office of Emergency Management at Emergency_Management@baylor.edu or 254-710-2836 (BUEM).
More information about emergency preparedness, including safety procedures in the event of a tornado warning, and the Baylor Alert notification system is available at on the Baylor Office of Emergency Management and Fire Safety website at www.baylor.edu/emergency.
How to sign up for Baylor Alert
Baylor University's Department of Public Safety and its emergency management team use the multi-tiered Baylor Alert systems – from outdoor and indoor loudspeakers to text and email messages – to share important information and instructions for students, faculty, staff and visitors for all kinds of hazards, from severe weather to other dangerous situations.
Baylor students may enter/update their Baylor Alert contact information by logging on to BearWeb. Employees can enter/update their emergency contact information through the Ignite system. Parents can be added as an "alternate Baylor Alert contact" by their student in BearWeb.
In addition, parents, visitors, contractors and other individuals can opt-in to receive Baylor Alert text messages by using one of following options:
- Short-term visitors (1-3 days) can text Baylor1845 to 226787. *Note, subscriptions automatically expire after 3 days.
- Long-term visitors (weeks, months, semester, etc.) can text Baylor76798 to 226787. *Note, subscriptions do not automatically expire. Users need to opt-out to stop receiving notifications.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about City of Waco Emergency Management Warning Sirens are available on the McLennan County website. Additional information about City of Waco Emergency Management is available on the City of Waco website.
Baylor University Severe Weather Safety Procedures:
Indoors
- Seek shelter immediately on a ground floor, in an interior room.
- Do not use elevators.
- Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
- Avoid any wide-span roof areas such as auditorium, gymnasiums, cafeterias and large hallways.
Residence Halls
- Residence Hall Directors and available staff will gather all residents to the Severe Weather Assembly Areas (identified on Building Emergency Plan maps throughout the facility).
- Residents should bring blankets for protection from debris.
- Remain in the Severe Weather Assembly Areas until the tornado passes and an All Clear is issued via Baylor Alert.
Outdoors
- Seek indoor shelter, if possible.
- Parked motor vehicles are unsafe.
- If indoor shelter is not available and there is not time for escape, lie flat in a ditch or low spot.
- If you are on a flat ground and are caught in the path of a tornado, always move at right angles to its path.
Individuals with mobility/impairments or physical disabilities:
Supervisory personnel and course instructors are responsible for identifying and escorting individuals with mobility impairments or physical disabilities located in their offices/facilities or classrooms to safety in the event of a tornado warning.
The elevators may be used to transport individuals with mobility impairments or physical disabilities and their escorts to a safer location. Visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals may be escorted down the stairs but may require assistance in moving in crowded staircases and in finding a safer location.
In the event of a power failure, individuals who are unable to use the stairs and their escorts should move to an interior location without windows and call the Baylor University Police Department (254-710-2222) who will notify the appropriate emergency personnel with the location.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Baylor University Department of Public Safety serves as an umbrella department for the Baylor University Police Department, emergency management and fire safety, global safety and security, technical security and parking and transportation. The DPS is set on providing students, faculty and alumni with excellent security and safety through instant notification systems, extensive surveillance cameras and highly trained staff.