*TEST OF BAYLOR ALERT SYSTEM COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY* Baylor to Test Outdoor Tornado Sirens, Baylor Alert Emergency Communications System at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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10:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

Baylor Alert Emergency Notification System Test Underway

10:00 a.m., Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

Text: [Baylor Alert, 10 a.m.]

Baylor Alert *TEST* text message delivered to all contacts.

[BAYLOR ALERT] **TEST** This is a TEST of Baylor's Emergency Communications System (Fri, Feb 2) **TEST** More info: bit.ly/48TQXIn 

Email: [Baylor Alert, 10 a.m.]

Baylor Alert *TEST* email message delivered to all contacts.

[BAYLOR ALERT] **TEST** Baylor University's Emergency Communications System **TEST** (Friday, Feb 2)

Baylor website and constituent webpages

University’s home page (www.baylor.edu) successfully updated with Baylor Alert test message in addition to the Faculty/Staff webpage and Students webpage.

Official Baylor University social media channels

University social media channels successfully updated with Baylor Alert test message: Twitter/X: @Baylor, Facebook @bayloruniversity1845 and Instagram @bayloruniversity.

Baylor University Information Line

Baylor Information Line at ext. 4411 (254-710-4411) tested successfully.

"You have reached the Baylor University information line.  Today is Friday, February 2, 2024.  Baylor University is conducting a required test of the Baylor Alert Emergency Notification system, which includes the Baylor 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."

8:49 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 2024

***SIREN TEST POSTPONED, TEST OF BAYLOR ALERT SYSTEMS WILL BE CONDUCTED  AT 10 A.M.***

WACO, Texas (Jan. 31, 2024) – Baylor University will join City of Waco and McLennan County partners – in cooperation with the Waco/McLennan County Office of Emergency Management – to conduct a regular test of its Outdoor Warning System (tornado sirens)*** at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2. In addition to the siren test, Baylor University 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. The University’s testing period will be 10 to 11 a.m.

The Baylor Department of Public Safety and its emergency management team use the multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system – which includes outdoor and indoor loudspeakers, Baylor Alert text and email messages, notices on Baylor’s website and official social media channels Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram and the Baylor Information Line at 254-710-4411 – to share important information and instructions for students, faculty, staff and visitors for all kinds of hazards, from severe weather to other dangerous situations.

Each first Friday of the month, Baylor joins city and county partners for regular joint testing of tornado sirens at 10 a.m. 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. 

***NOTE: If there is rain in the forecast or skies are cloudy, the siren test may be postponed until Friday, March 1, but the University will still test the rest of its Baylor Alert system, including Baylor Alert email and text messages, Baylor web and social media communications and the Baylor Information Line.

 “As we enter the spring storm season, Central Texas at times may experience severe weather, including tornadoes,” said George Nunez, director of emergency management at Baylor. “It is important for students, faculty, staff and visitors to be familiar with the Baylor Alert emergency notification system and emergency preparedness guidance for severe weather, particularly if the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch or Tornado Warning.”

What to expect from tests of outdoor sirens

On the morning of the Feb. 2 test, the Baylor Emergency Management team will send a Baylor Alert email from baylor@email.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.

Feedback about the Outdoor Warning System 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 website.

How to sign up for Baylor Alert

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.

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 three days.
• Long-term visitors (weeks, months, semester, etc.) can text Baylor76798 to 226787. *Note, subscriptions do not automatically expire. Users must 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.

Safety Procedures

Indoors

• Seek shelter immediately on a ground floor, in an interior room.
  • Severe Weather Assembly Areas in each Baylor Waco campus building are identified on Building Emergency Plan maps throughout each building and available via an online map.
• Do not use elevators.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
• Avoid wide-span roof areas such as auditorium, gymnasium, dining hall 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 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Baylor University Department of Public Safety serves as an umbrella department for the Baylor University Police Department, emergency management, global safety and security, technical security and parking and transportation. BUDPS is set on providing students, faculty and alumni with excellent security and safety through instant notification systems, extensive surveillance cameras and highly trained staff.

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.