Statewide Drill for Public Warning Systems Set for 10 a.m. Thursday, April 2

Contact: Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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At the request of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Baylor University will join TDEM, City of Waco and McLennan County partners and other alerting authorities throughout Texas for a statewide test of emergency alert systems between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, to evaluate effectiveness and functionality of these public warning tools.

On Thursday, Baylor will test the email and text message capabilities of the Baylor Alert emergency notification system and activate the University’s outdoor warning (tornado) sirens during the testing period from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Because multiple jurisdictions throughout Texas may participate in this test, students, faculty and staff may experience multiple notifications via cellphone, television and radio throughout the testing period that are not associated with Baylor University.

This test of local warning systems is part of TDEM’s commitment to working with Texas communities to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of disasters and emergencies throughout the state.

“Regular training and testing of public warning systems builds readiness before disaster strikes and is an important component of community safety,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Conducting drills to reaffirm procedures, promote confidence in technological tools and identify potential shortfalls is key to ensuring these systems operate with precision, accuracy and timeliness when they are needed the most.”

This will only be a test. No emergency action is required. Along with the City of Waco, Baylor will resume its regular first-Friday tornado siren test schedule in May.

What to expect from outdoor siren tests

When there is an actual emergency – including a weather-related emergency or 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. 

On the morning of Thursday, April 2, 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.

Shortly after 10 a.m., the outdoor tornado siren testing will begin with a test voice announcement, followed by a test activation of the outdoor sirens that will last about 60 seconds.

Baylor Alert emergency notification system

If there is an actual emergency on campus, Baylor's Department of Public Safety and its emergency management team will use the Baylor Alert emergency notification system to share important information and instructions for students, faculty, staff and visitors for all kinds of hazards, from severe weather to other dangerous situations. When additional information is available, BUDPS will share further instructions, such as “seek secure shelter immediately” or shelter-in-place.

Baylor Alert uses multiple systems to communicate in an emergency, including:

• Outdoor Notification System (Main Waco Campus Only, sirens and voice activation)
• Baylor Alert email notification to Baylor email account (from baylor@email.getrave.com)
• Baylor Alert text message to cellphone
• Audio message to a cellphone or other telephone
• Notices on Baylor’s main website (www.baylor.edu)
• Official Baylor social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram
• Audio recording on the Baylor Information Line at 254-710-4411

How to sign up for Baylor Alert

Baylor students are automatically opted in to the Baylor Alert system but can check and/or update their Baylor Alert contact information by logging on to BearWeb. Employees also are automatically opted in to Baylor Alert and can check/update their emergency contact information through the Ignite system.

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 will need to opt out to stop receiving notifications.

Safety Procedures

In the event of an issued tornado warning, take the following actions if you are indoors, in a residence hall or outdoors:

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 each residence hall).
• 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 flat ground and 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 at 254-710-2222 who will notify the appropriate emergency personnel with the location.

Feedback/Additional Resources 

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).

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. 

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. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.

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, physical and 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.