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Since the April 16 tragedy at Virginia Tech, the rapid communication of important emergency information to the campus community has been an important topic of analysis and planning. A broad cross-section of staff, faculty and students has been evaluating our emergency-response plans and protocols. The University has an Emergency Response Plan that is reviewed periodically and can be activated quickly in a crisis. Specific RU staff members are trained and ready to respond to emergencies.

RU has installed an alert notification service as part of a series of initiatives to enhance security and emergency communications on campus.

The service provides RU the capability to blast text messages, emails and phone messages quickly to students, faculty and staff. All subscribers will be able to receive alerts on multiple devices, including cell phones, computers, personal digital assistants and off campus phones.
The alert notification service is available now to RU students, faculty and staff and all are encouraged to take advantage of this free service.

To subscribe, follow these instructions:

1. Log on to the Radford University portal at www.portal.radford.edu

2. Click on RU Alert Service.  This will take you to the page on which you can submit your emergency contact information.
 
3. Enter your primary personal contact information. DO NOT USE RADFORD UNIVERSITY CAMPUS PHONE NUMBERS OR RADFORD.EDU EMAIL ADDRESSES. These will be utilized for transmitting information through regular RU communication channels.
 
4. Enter your alternate emergency contact information, then click the submit button at the bottom of the page. Students can choose to include their parents as their alternate emergency contact.
 
Questions about the alert notification system can be directed to the Information Technology Help Desk at 831-7500.

RU is also installing a siren and public address system as an additional means of alerting campus during an emergency. Sirens will be located on the main campus and on the athletic campus. In an emergency, a loud, audible siren will be sounded on campus and will be followed by a public address broadcast announcing specific information and instructions.

Other newly deployed communication media are two specialized web sites. One will replace the RU homepage at www.radford.edu with a text-based page during a crisis. The page will load quickly in times of high demand and present concise information and instructions. A separate permanent web site will share information about inclement weather, closings, delays, and less serious circumstances, and highlight available university resources and contacts.

Other media the university can use to keep the campus community informed include radio station WVRU 89.9 FM, electronic marquees on East Main Street and digital signage across campus. The university will also activate a toll-free telephone hotline to answer questions and dispense information in an emergency.

Another initiative is the development of the RU police department SWAT team. The team will consist of officers with specialized training and equipment to respond to dangerous situations. All officers are receiving additional specialized training in reacting to threats to campus safety.

The police department currently offers an escort service for the safety of anyone walking alone on campus accessible by calling 831-5500. Seventeen emergency phones linked directly to the police office are located across campus to provide additional security.

Reviewing all safety protocols and procedures and emergency preparedness plans to take best advantage of current technology and industry best-practice standards is an ongoing process.

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