Emergency Notifications

The UPennAlert System is an emergency communications system that allows the University to quickly provide the Penn community and its visitors to our campus with critical information during a major emergency through various methods, including text messages, e-mails, the Penn Siren Outdoor System, the Division of Public Safety website, and other digital displays.

The test today has been conducted on all delivery methods to registered members of the UPennAlert System.  If you did not receive the Alert and are a student, faculty member or staff at Penn follow the instructions below to ensure you are registered.

We use the Penn Siren Outdoor System, PennSOS, which consists of 27 outdoor speakers to send a voice message to the entire community.  We used the siren today to notify everyone, including campus visitors, who may be outside during this test. In the event of a true emergency this would be the quickest way to notify everyone outdoors of an emergency.  As in an actual emergency, today we transmitted a 15-second siren and emergency voice messages to the outdoor campus environment.

When an emergency event unfolds, will you be ready to take the appropriate actions to remain free from harm? Watch a short video to learn about key emergency procedures: Evacuate, Shelter-in-Place, and Lockdown. This animated video will illustrate each of these procedures, and it includes what to do in the event of someone trying to harm others, inside or outside of buildings. This subject matter may be unsettling for some, take care of yourself in watching and connect with support if needed.

We thank you for engaging in being a prepared member of the Penn community.

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How to register for UPennAlert:

Students

To stay informed through the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System and to prevent or lift an “Update Required Information” hold, it is essential to keep your student profile updated with the following information via Path@Penn:

1. *UPennAlert Student Mobile Phone Number
2. Permanent Address
3. Learning From Address
4. Emergency & Missing Person Contact

Where can you find instructions to update or add information?

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to update each required item on the Update or Add Your Required Contact Information page.

Staff/Faculty

The UPennAlert System’s effectiveness depends upon the accuracy of recipients’ personal contact information. To register for the system, or to update your contact information, visit the UPennAlert site and follow the link that best applies to you. All information is secure and confidential.

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All information is secure and confidential. If you have any problems updating your personal contact information, please email the Division of Public Safety at the Public Safety Feedback Line.

For more information on the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System and Shelter-In-Place, please visit the Public Safety website on how to be PennReady.

The Division of Public Safety has developed a few helpful risk reduction strategies outlined below.

Know that it is never the fault of the person impacted (victim/survivor) by crime.

• Stay out of immediate area.
• Stay alert and reduce distractions; using cellphones, ear buds, etc. may limit your awareness.
• Orient yourself to your surroundings. (Identify your location, nearby exits, etc.)
• Utilize 24/7/365 Walking Escort services (215-898-WALK/9255).
• Only carry necessary documents.
• Keep your valuables out of sight.
• Be respectful of those involved in the incident.
• If you believe you see the described suspect, do not engage – call 215-573-3333.

Confirm your UPennAlert registration information!

Students:
To ensure you stay informed through UPennAlert, please confirm or update your UPennAlert phone numbers in Path@Penn.
How to add/update UPennAlert phone numbers

Staff/faculty/postdocs/temporary workers:
To ensure you stay informed through UPennAlert, please confirm or update your contact information though Workday at Penn. Instructions on the Workday tip sheet, Self Service: Modify Your Personal Information (PennKey login required)

UPHS Employees:
Update Your Preferred Number through the UPHS Phone Book

Information is secure and confidential. If you have any problems updating your personal contact information, please contact Public Safety.

Events clear from this notification page within 24 hours. For a historical archive of past events, please visit the UPennAlert Archive.