Virginia Tech will conduct a full-scale test of its VT Alerts system March 25 on the Blacksburg campus as well as university locations in six regions across Virginia.

The test will occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and include the Virginia Tech website, electronic message boards, broadcast emails, the weather/emergency hotline, campus sirens and loudspeakers, VT Phone Alerts, and VT Desktop Alerts.

Prior to the test, those that subscribe to VT Phone Alerts should visit the VT Alerts website and click on the “Manage Your Account” link to verify their information. In addition, they should alert anyone they signed up to receive notifications via phone, text message, or email of the upcoming test.

Members of the university community are urged to contact 4Help at 540-231-4357 if they have problems receiving the test message.

In the event of an actual emergency, individuals must be aware of their surroundings and take immediate responsibility for their personal safety and security. Initial VT Alerts messages will provide basic information on what to do; further instructions and updates will be provided by subsequent VT Alerts messages or first responders. In-depth information, when available, will be posted to the university homepage.

Users can choose to subscribe to VT Alerts for the following regions:

  • Blacksburg (Virginia Tech main campus, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine);
  • National Capital Region (Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church, Va.; Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va.; Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Alexandria Center; Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory in Manassas, Va.; Virginia Tech Research Center -- Arlington);
  • Richmond (Virginia Tech Richmond Center);
  • Hampton Roads (Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Center, Virginia Beach; Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Center, Newport News);
  • Roanoke (Roanoke Higher Education Center, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute);
  • Abingdon (Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center); and
  • Danville (Institute for Advanced Learning and Research).

Visit the VT Alerts website for more information or to sign up.

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