Stay Informed!

The effectiveness of the UPennAlert via personal electronic devices depends upon faculty, staff and student providing accurate and up-to-date personal contact information. We urge you to partner with the University in registering your cell phone number, as well as other emergency contact information, so that University officials can communicate with you wherever you happen to be. Simply click on the appropriate link below.

Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS)

The Division of Public Safety, in conjunction with the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), has launched the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS). This thirteen (13) speaker system operates as part of UPennAlert Emergency Notification System, transmitting voice intelligible emergency messages and alert tones to the outdoor campus environment. Penn SOS is not designed to penetrate buildings, but will be audible above normal street noise.

View Map of Coverage Area

Penn SOS is one of several delivery methods for disseminating a UPennAlert Emergency Notification. Currently, the UPennAlert System serves fifty-two thousand (52,000) Penn affiliates by delivering emergency notifications via electronic devices. Penn SOS provides a second layer of protection for the Penn Community, offering the advantage of communicating with all individuals located outdoors, throughout Penn's campus. These individuals might not otherwise receive emergency notification if they are not registered with the UPennAlert System, or are not a Penn affiliate. In the event of a major emergency, both systems could be used to alert people in the area of an immediate, dangerous situation.

Benefits of Penn SOS:

1. Penn SOS provides mass notification capabilities to the broader Penn community, visitors & neighbors
2. Thirteen (13) strategically placed speaker locations can be operated individually or simultaneously
3. Penn SOS transmits voice intelligible emergency messages to the OUTDOOR campus environment
4. Penn SOS works as part of the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System
5. Penn SOS generates both an alert tone siren & voice intelligible messaging
6. Penn SOS is designed to interface with fire alarm panels providing indoor public address capabilities on campus

Testing & Implementation Schedule:

Penn SOS will be installed between July and August 2009 and testing will be required to ensure operability. During this period, as individual sites are wired and prepared for service, brief tests will be conducted, playing Westminster Chimes to ensure proper installation.

Two (2) full days of testing will be required to synchronize, ensure voice intelligibility and adjust the sound levels of all thirteen (13) speaker locations. These tests are expected to occur from August 18th to August 20, 2009, using Westminster Chimes. After this series of testing, Penn SOS will become fully integrated into the PennReady Emergency Preparedness program.

To promote system reliability, monthly tests, using Westminster Chimes, will be conducted on the first Friday of each month at 11:00 a.m. beginning October 2, 2009. In compliance with the Clery Act, Penn SOS will be tested annually, in conjunction with the annual UPennAlert drill, using the actual siren. Notifications will be made to the community in advance of this test. You can hear all possible sounds below.

Click on the icons below to hear the different types of sirens described. If you are unable to hear listen to the sound through the website's player, 'right click' the icon and choose 'save as' then open the file from your computer.

Testing: Systems tests of the Penn SOS will be conducted using Westminster Chimes.
Emergency: In an emergency you will hear a fifteen (15) second siren followed by a voice intelligible message instructing you on what to do. This will repeat three (3) times.
All Clear: When it is deemed safe to resume your normal activity, the system will emit a series of beeps followed by a voice intelligible message indicating it is "All Clear".

Penn SOS will be an invaluable asset to the University community in the unfortunate event of a crisis situation. Its incorporation into UPennAlert protocol allows the University's Emergency Notification System to efficiently inform as many individuals as possible, via personal electronic devices and siren/public address systems, during an emergency. We appreciate your patience as we ensure the operability of this crucial system.

The Division of Public Safety looks forward to continuing to strengthen its approach to safety and security at the University of Pennsylvania.

Help Us Notify Our Community:

The University is currently in the process of communicating the launch of the Penn Siren Outdoor System to the Penn community, neighboring residents and commercial locations. Please consider printing out the below public notice and posting it in permissible areas to which you have access.

The 6 UPennAlert Emergency Notifications

It is important to know what each potential UPennAlert means and how to react. There are six possible UPennAlerts that you are most likely to receive. Please take time to review them so that you will know what to do if you ever receive a UPennAlert.

1. Emergency Closure

An emergency closure is a closure of a portion or the entire University, in order for emergency operations to occur with the least amount of interruptions, while protecting the life and safety of the University community and visitors.

2. Lock Down

A Lock Down is a procedure used when there is an immediate threat to building occupants. Students, faculty and staff would be instructed to secure themselves in the room they are in and remain there until the situation has been curtailed and an "all clear" announcement has been given by the Division of Public Safety. The Lock Down allows emergency responders to ensure the security and safety of the students and staff, address the immediate threat and remove or evacuate any innocent bystanders from immediate danger to an area of refuge. This procedure is most commonly used to secure areas not directly impacted by an incident occurring inside a building.

3. Lock Out

A Lock Out is a procedure that allows no unauthorized personnel into a building. All exterior doors should be locked and the main entrance will be monitored by the UPPD, Allied Security, and/or administrators. This procedure allows the occupants of a building to continue as normal, but curtails outside activity. A Lock Out is most commonly used when an incident is occurring outside a building.

4. Evacuate

"Evacuate" means there is a potential threat to a building, area or the entire University that requires immediate evacuation.

5. Shelter-In-Place

A Shelter-In-Place is a procedure whereby the entire building population is moved to a single (or multiple) location(s) in a building. This procedure is most commonly used during weather emergencies or when an extremely hazardous substance is released into the outside atmosphere.

6. Avoid Hazardous Condition

An "Avoid Hazardous Condition" means there is a condition where an immediate threat to the life, safety and health of the public exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

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GENERAL

1. What is the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System?
2. What are Personal Electronic Devices and what technology does the University use to send a UPennAlert to them?
3. What is the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) and what technology is used to send a UPennAlert with this system?
4. Why does the University of Pennsylvania need Penn SOS?
5. How will Penn use the UPennAlert emergency notification system?
6. What other means will be used by Penn to communicate emergency information?
7. Will Penn be testing the UPennAlert system?
8. I am not a Penn Faculty, Staff or Student of the University. Can I receive notifications on my personal electronic device (cell, email, etc)?
9. Who can I contact for more information?

TECHNICAL

Personal Electronic Devices (cell phone, email, landline etc)

1. How do I enter my contact information for use by the UPennAlert system?
2. Can I change my emergency contact preferences?
3. What contact information should I use for the UPennAlert system?
4. How will I know when I receive a message to my personal electronic device from the UPennAlert system?
5. Will Penn correct my personal contact information when it is wrong?
6. How do I know that all of my personal data will be secure and protected by the University and by MIR3™?
7. On what devices will I receive an emergency notification?
8. Will I receive unsolicited messages ("SPAM") on my cell phone or email account as a result of giving my cell phone number to the University?
9. Is there a charge for subscribing to receive emergency messages via the UPennAlert system?
10. Do I need to install software on my PDA or cell phone to receive text messages or emails?
11. When will you deactivate my subscription to the UPennAlert system?
12. If I switch cell phone service providers, do I have to notify Penn that I have changed providers, even though my cell phone number remains the same?

Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS)

1. When will Penn SOS be tested?
2. What should I do during a system test?
3. What does Penn SOS sound like?
4. When will Penn SOS be activated?
5. What should I do if I hear Penn SOS?
6. In what areas of the city will Penn SOS be heard?

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[ GENERAL ]

What is the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System?

UPennAlert is a Mass Notification System (MNS) that is used for fast and efficient dissemination of critical information during an emergency. Currently the University can notify all Penn faculty, staff and students via personal electronic devices (cell phones, pda, handhelds, etc,) through text messaging, voicemail and email. The DPS website will also be used to continue to update the public as an event unfolds. The University can also notify the general public via the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) which can emit voice intelligible emergency messages from 13 strategically placed sirens across Penn’s campus.

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What are Personal Electronic Devices and what technology does the University use to send a UPennAlert to them?

The term 'Personal Electronic Devices' is used to describe common personal communication technology. This includes, cell phones, PDA devices and landlines.

The University uses MIR3™ to send all notifications via personal electronic devices. MIR3 is the technology leader in Intelligent Notification (IN™) solutions for global enterprises. For more information about MIR3™, please visit their website at the following address: http://www.mir3.com.

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What is the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) and what technology is used to send a UPennAlert with this system?

Penn SOS is an outdoor emergency notification system that serves Penn's campus and the surrounding community.

The System uses 13 speakers, strategically placed throughout campus, that can simultaneously or individually be utilized. The speakers can emit an audible alert or voice intelligible message to a section of campus or the entire University area.

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Why does the University of Pennsylvania need Penn SOS?

Penn SOS serves as an extra layer of protection to supplement other comprehensive safety protocols at Penn. With the implementation of Penn SOS, mass notification capabilities can be extended to the broader Penn community, visitors and neighbors that are on or near Penn's campus.

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How will Penn use the UPennAlert emergency notification system?

In the event of a major emergency affecting the Penn and University City community, you will receive an emergency communication on your phone numbers registered in the Penn Directory via text-message and voicemail, in addition to an email notification sent to your Penn email account, from the Division of Public Safety.

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What other means will be used by Penn to communicate emergency information?

The UPennAlert Emergency Notification System provides our students, faculty and staff with an additional layer of security and protection in emergency response, in conjunction with our already well-established emergency communication methods, which include: University-wide broadcast emails, online updates via the Penn and Division of Public Safety homepages, coordinated use of public media outlets, and public address systems within all College Houses.

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Will Penn be testing the Penn Alert system?

YES: The Division of Public Safety, in conjunction with our University partners, will periodically conduct emergency drills using the UPennAlert system. The University community will be notified in advance of all emergency tests and drills.

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I am not a Penn Faculty, Staff or Student of the University. Can I receive notifications on my personal electronic device (cell, email, etc)?

Currently, only Penn faculty, staff and students can receive UPennAlerts via personal electronic devices.

If you would like to receive emergency alerts from the City of Philadelphia, sign up for ReadyNotifyPA at http://oem.readyphiladelphia.org/. Click on the ReadyNotifyPA logo. ReadyNotifyPA sends emergency alerts, notifications and updates to the cell phones, pagers, BlackBerries, PDAs and/or e-mail accounts of registered subscribers.

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Who can I contact for More Information?

For more information, contact the Division of Public Safety, Office of the Vice President at (215) 898-7515.

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[ TECHNICAL ]

Personal Electronic Devices (cell phone, email, landline, etc.)

How do I enter my contact information for use by the UPennAlert system?

Directions for Updating Your Emergency Notification Information

STUDENTS: Access Penn InTouch via the Penn Portal at:
http://www.upenn.edu/penn_portal.

FACULTY/STAFF: Access the Penn Directories via, http://www.upenn.edu/directories. Click on "Update Directory Listings" and log in using your PennKey or access U@Penn directly via, http://www.upenn.edu/u@penn. Click on "My Directory Information" and log in using your PennKey.

For step by step directions on updating your information click on the appropriate button below.

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Can I change my emergency contact preferences?

YES: You can adjust your contact information anytime by logging into either Penn InTouch (students) or U@Penn (faculty/staff) using your PennKey and changing the settings. This information will automatically be uploaded to MIR3™'s software application within one hour of submission.

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What contact information should I use for the UPennAlert system?

Since the UPennAlert system will be used to notify you in an emergency situation, we strongly recommend that you provide contact information for YOU, the subscriber, such as your cell phone number.

For Students ONLY via Penn InTouch:

Please provide the name and address for "Other Emergency Contact Person" in the appropriate fields. Additionally, you can enter up to four other phone numbers for emergency contacts (such as parent, spouse, guardian, other cell, other residence, and/or other pager).

We strongly recommend that you include a phone number for a parent/legal guardian in the available field.

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How will I know when I receive a message from the UPennAlert system?

The Caller ID function on your cell phone or landline (if available) will display the following number:

215.573.3333

This is the emergency communications number (similar to 911) for Penn's Division of Public Safety, and will identify the number as: Penn Pub Safety

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Will Penn correct my personal contact information when it is wrong?

Penn will not verify the accuracy of the contact information you enter. Please check and edit your information as necessary to ensure that the University's records are accurate and up to date.

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How do I know that all of my personal data will be secure and protected by the University and by MIR3™?

The contact information that you enter into the Penn Directory, such as your cell phone number, will only be provided to MIR3™ for the explicit purposes of notifying you in the event of an emergency. MIR3™ has agreed that they have no right to use your contact information for any purpose other than notifying you via the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System. They do not have rights to sell, disclose or trade your contact information.

Only the Individuals employed by the University of Pennsylvania who must use this information to administer and manage the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System will have access to your contact information. No other access will be allowed except as may be required by law.

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On what devices will I receive an emergency notification?

You will receive an emergency notification from the UPennAlert system on devices (i.e. cell phones and landlines) included in your Penn Directory or Penn InTouch listing. Additionally, an email notification will be sent to your listed University email account, and any email accounts registered.

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Will I receive unsolicited messages ("SPAM") on my cell phone or email account as a result of giving my cell phone number to the University?

NO: The UPennAlert system has a rigid security policy in which authorized personnel ONLY are permitted to send messages using the UPennAlert system in the case of an emergency. The UPennAlert system adheres strictly to a ZERO SPAM policy that clearly prohibits unsolicited messages. Furthermore, the University cannot and will not sell the contact information of UPennAlert subscribers to third party marketers.

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Is there a charge for subscribing to receive emergency messages via the UPennAlert system?

There is no charge for the UPennAlert service from the University of Pennsylvania. Depending on your wireless carrier provider and the plan you have, you may be charged a nominal fee (e.g. ten cents per message) to receive SMS text messages. For those with unlimited text messaging plans, there would be no additional charge.

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Do I need to install software on my PDA or cell phone to receive text messages or emails?

NO: The UPennAlert system, as powered by MIR3™, uses a standard industry SMS text messaging protocol to send messages to your phone. Your mobile phone plan will need to accept text messages to work properly.

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When will you deactivate my subscription to the UPennAlert system?

Your contact information will be removed from the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System when there is a change in your affiliation with the University (for students - graduation; for faculty/staff - change in employment status).

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If I switch cell phone service providers, do I have to notify Penn that I have changed providers, even though my cell phone number remains the same?

The UPennAlert system will automatically transfer your contact information from one service provider to the next. If your actual cell phone number changes, you will have to update your most current number with the Penn Directory.

Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS)

When will Penn SOS be tested?

Penn SOS will be tested on the first Friday of every month at 11:00am using Westminster Chimes. Additionally, Penn SOS will be used once a year in conjunction with the University's annually required campus wide test of the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System. This test will be announced in advance and posted on the Public Safety and University of Pennsylvania homepages.

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What should I do during a system test?

There is no need to take any action when you hear the monthly Penn SOS test. You should continue your regular activities during this test. Only Penn faculty, staff, and students will be instructed on what steps to follow during the annual required UPennAlert Emergency Notification System test. All non-Penn faculty, staff, and students should continue your regular activities during this annual test.

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What does Penn SOS sound like?

There are three (3) possible sounds you will hear depending on if we are testing the system, having an actual emergency, or sounding an "All Clear”. Click on the icons below to hear the different types of sirens described. If you are unable to hear listen to the sound through the website's player, 'right click' the icon and choose 'save as' then open the file from your computer.

Testing: Systems tests of the Penn SOS will be conducted using Westminster Chimes.
Emergency: In an emergency you will hear a fifteen (15) second siren followed by a voice intelligible message instructing you on what to do. This will repeat three (3) times.
All Clear: When it is deemed safe to resume your normal activity, the system will emit a series of beeps followed by a voice intelligible message indicating it is "All Clear".

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When will Penn SOS be activated?

Penn SOS will only be activated in case of an emergency after the University Division of Public Safety and University administration assess the need for mass notification. Examples of emergencies where the sirens would likely be activated include:

1. Active Shooter on Campus
2. Hazardous Materials Incident
3. Severe Weather Emergency
4. Explosion

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What should I do if I hear Penn SOS?

Penn SOS will be used to alert you of an on-going or pending emergency situation. Follow the instructions given and wait for an "All Clear" indication from the system. If possible, tune to local TV and radio stations for additional information. Penn staff, faculty, and students should anticipate a message on your personal electronic devices (i.e. cell phone).

To learn more about Evacuation, Shelter-In-Place, Lock Out, Lock Down and other emergency procedures visit the Emergency Procedures page for PennReady.

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In what areas of the city will Penn SOS be heard?

Penn SOS is designed to reach Penn's outdoor campus environment. Individuals in areas neighboring the University of Pennsylvania may also be able to hear the system. The map, included below, indicates the areas in which Penn SOS will be audible. Click on the map to view a larger image.

Resources & Help

Use the resources below to help you register for UPennAlert and get a better understanding of how the system works.

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Notification Examples

Click on an icon below to view/hear how a UPennAlert message is delivered to the different devices you may choose to register.