Test of emergency alert systems scheduled

UNC Charlotte will test its emergency alert systems between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 31.

All communications will indicate that a test is in progress and that no actual emergency exists. Emergency alert tests occur periodically throughout the year as part of the University’s emergency preparedness program. No special action by members of the campus community should be necessary during this test.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., there will be a test of the red and yellow alert banners on the UNC Charlotte website. During this exercise, campus officials will test the technical capabilities of LiveSafe to transmit a message to subscribers. Earlier this year, a LiveSafe alert was generated successfully with a yellow alert test; this will be the first opportunity to test the feature with a red alert.

Starting around 9:50 a.m., a test of the Alertus software will affect smart podiums, desktop computers and plasma screens on campus. Roughly 8,000 desktop computers and 400 smart podiums will receive this alert.

Finally, at 10:10 a.m., there will be a test of Campus Televideo in the common and living areas of residence halls. This test, which will last about 30 minutes, will not affect other campus facilities. Televisions that use Campus Televideo may experience an interruption of service or display the test message.

Direct questions about the test to Lt. Brian Thomas (bsthomas@uncc.edu) at the UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety Department.