The outdoor emergency notification system will be tested around noon and the emergency text messaging system will also be tested on Friday afternoon.

During the outdoor notification system test, system will broadcast a tone, followed by a pre-recorded test message over speakers located at various points on campus. The system is designed to notify people who are outdoors at the time of an emergency and is not intended to inform those who are indoors. 

During Friday's emergency text-messaging system test, a text message will be sent to the cell phones of all faculty, staff and students who have signed up for the service. Anyone who has not already signed up for text messaging can do so at www.ohio.edu/emergency. Past registrants can also visit the site to update their cell phone numbers or service-carrier information whenever either changes.

The text messaging system serves as a communication tool for the campus community during an emergency affecting the Athens campus only. Regional campus employees and students may sign up for the service if they want to be alerted during Athens campus emergencies.

Like all of the university's emergency communication tools, the systems are tested periodically to ensure they are working properly and to help familiarize the campus community with how they will operate in an emergency.

Other emergency communication methods the university has in place include CATVision alerts, emergency messaging via the Web, e-mail distribution, and an emergency telephone hotline featuring a recorded message.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the university's emergency Web page at www.ohio.edu/emergency.

-- George Mauzy