THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Sights and Sounds of a Safe Campus from UT Dallas.

Campus Alerts

When normal University operations are altered or when a situation affects campus safety, the cell phone numbers will be used to send text messages to the UT Dallas community. Cell phone numbers are protected by applicable privacy laws and will not be sold or rented by the University or its vendors. Standard messaging rates may apply.

If a closure or change in campus operations is necessary, UT Dallas will inform students and employees of the University status via several communication channels:

• Closure information will be posted on the University website.
  
• An e-mail announcement will be sent to all faculty, staff and students.
  
• A recorded telephone message will be available at 972-883-7669.
  
• Local media outlets will be informed.
  
• An announcement will be sent via the University text message system.

For more information please visit the campus News Center

Depending on the campus location and the severity of a situation, UTD PD or a Peer Advisor may ask occupants to evacuate the building or to "shelter in place." UTD PD officers also may utilize their in-car loudspeaker to provide announcements and emergency commands to large crowds either outside or near doors and windows of a building. Depending on which building is involved, a central intercom system may not exist, so it is important to listen for other instructions that may be delivered by police.

Mass Notification System

In the event of an emergency or natural disaster the campus community will be notified as prominently as possible through several means of communication. This includes Campus Alert E-mail, the University's website, campus and local media, text-messaging, Fire Alarm Systems, Indoor Warning System and Outdoor Warning System.

Outdoor Warning System

Outdoor warning sirens are used to warn the public of an approaching hazard, one of them being to warn against a potential threat or natural disaster in the immediate area.

The University of Texas at Dallas has installed an outdoor warning system (OWS) as an additional method to warn the campus of impending or current dangerous situations. This is in addition to the City of Richardson's sirens, one of which is located on the UTD campus. The system has siren and voice capability. We will test the system the first Wednesday of each month at noon to ensure the system is functioning properly and so the campus community becomes familiar with the sound and recognizes and pays attention to the voice messages.

Indoor Warning System

This system enables UTD emergency services to have the capability to communicate with most buildings or each building individually. Some buildings are outfitted with equipment that can communicate live and recorded messages, but others must be accessed individually at the fire panels in the buildings. Fire Alarm pulls also are used in warning occupants of an emergency within the building.