Campus Alert System
Campus Emergency Alerting
Webber International University prides itself on its campus safety. But emergencies can happen any time, any place. As part of our commitment to campus safety, Webber International University has installed a state-of-the art campus alert system featuring Federal Signal’s Eclipse 8 siren (mounted on the tall pole behind the classroom building) and Federal Signal’s Codespear emergency text notification system.
While no warning system can replace common sense and situational awareness, and while no system is foolproof, in the event of very serious emergency, we will activate our campus warning system. Except for our weekly test which occurs at 2:00pm each Wednesday, should you hear the siren or get a text message, you need to take immediate action.
Siren Alert Types
Because students sometimes venture away from their computers and cell phones, our primary non-fire emergency notification device is the Federal Signal Eclipse 8 siren (mounted on the tall pole behind the classroom building). There are three distinct warnings this device might generate:
Fast wail for 1 minute (click to hear simulation): This indicates a serious emergency such as an armed intruder or tornado sighting. Whatever is going on, it is big and you need to get to safety fast. We recommend that you get inside, lock doors, stay away from doors and windows, stay low, and await further instructions. This should be accompanied by a Federal Signal Codespear generated emergency text message sent to subscribed devices.
Steady tone for 15 seconds (click to hear simulation): This is the all clear signal. It indicates that the emergency has passed and it is now safe to resume normal activities. This should be accompanied by a Federal Signal Codespear generated all clear text message sent to subscribed devices.
Slow wail for 15 seconds (click to hear simulation): System test. Scheduled for Wednesdays at 2:00pm. No action is required.
Important: The Federal Signal Eclipse 8 siren is NOT, and should not be confused with, a fire alarm. In the event of fire, the fire alarm system will be used.
Subscribe to Messaging
In addition to the siren, we have a text (and limited voice) messaging system. Students and employees may subscribe (at no charge) to messaging. In the event of the activation of the Federal Signal Eclipse 8 Campus Alert System, we will also, using best efforts, send a message explaining the emergency. Please click on the appropriate link to subscribe.
Employee Subscription (complete, print, and send to Academic Affairs)
Student Subscription (complete, print, and send to Academic Affairs)
FAQs
Q: What should I do if I hear the Federal Signal Eclipse 8 campus alert siren?
A: Get inside. Lock doors. Stay away from doors and windows. Stay low. Await further instructions. Please note that if you have subscribed to messaging, you should receive a Federal Signal Codespear generated message, with further details about why the siren was activated, at about the same time the siren activates.
Q: Is this a test?
A: Not unless it is Wednesday afternoon at 2:00pm and you hear a 15 second slow wail. If it becomes necessary to test the system outside of this time, we will have lots of notice. Unless you know for sure that it is a test, you should treat it as real.
Q: I am a parent. Why can't I subscribe to alerts?
A: In the event of an emergency, time is of the essence. While we have state-of-the-art software running on a dedicated server connected to high speed internet, every notification still takes a tiny amount of time. Our first priority is notifying our campus community. Notifying those who are genuinely concerned, but not in immediate danger, slows down the notification process. In the event of an emergency, our official notification website is http://www.webberemergency.com/.
Q: Does this system replace common sense and good judgment? Is it foolproof?
A: No and no. This system makes us sleep better at night. And, it is as good as systems like these get. But things break. Things happen quickly. As with everywhere else in the world, you have to exercise situational awareness and common sense.
Links
The Webber International University Official Emergency Notification Page
Campus Crime Report