September is National Preparedness Month when everyone is encouraged to take some simple steps to prepare themselves for an emergency or crisis.
Below are four actions that University students, faculty and staff can take to prepare for the upcoming academic year.
1. Update your AlertUR settings
AlertUR is the University’s emergency notification system. In the event of an emergency, alerts are sent by voice, text, and email message. Students, faculty and staff should review their contact information at rochester.edu/alertur; sign in with your NetID and password. All students are automatically entered into AlertUR with their University email, but entering a current cell phone is highly recommended in order to receive emergency text and phone messages.
Employees with a NetID who do not have a University email address may enter a personal email or phone number to receive emergency alerts.
A fall test of the AlertUR system is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. The test will not disrupt normal University activities or events.
For full information, see AlertUR FAQ.
2. Learn ‘Run, Hide, Fight’
Despite being relatively rare, national statistics show that active shooter events are increasing. The Department of Public Safety trains to respond to these scenarios, as well as guides employees and students on the recommended actions to take in the presence of an active shooter. “Run, Hide, Fight” is the nationally adopted protocol for surviving these incidents.
View Public Safety’s active shooter response and the “Run, Hide, Fight” video. You can also schedule an in-person active shooter preparedness session for your group or department.
3. Download the URMobile app
URMobile, the University’s official mobile app, can quickly send you emergency alerts, as well as Public Safety notices, shuttle information, traffic advisories, and severe weather warnings. Notifications from URMobile supplement and do not replace messages from AlertUR, the University’s emergency notification system.
Download the free app at http://tech.rochester.edu/services/ur-mobile, or by searching “URMobile” in your phone’s app store. To allow push notifications through the URMobile app, on the app go to About/Preferences and then Notification Settings.
4. Register your international travel plans with Global Engagement
The Office for Global Engagement offers international travelers several options for assistance during a crisis or emergency abroad. Registering your travel plans and itinerary with Global Engagement prior to departure is one way to help stay secure while in another country. See www.rochester.edu/global/travel.
You can also download the Global Travel Contacts card to your phone by texting “URGlobalTravel” to “444-999” This allows travelers to download UR emergency contacts directly to their phone without an app.
Year-round safety tips
The Department of Public Safety reminds members of the University community to practice the personal habits that can help keep everyone safe:
- Eliminate opportunities for crime. Pay attention to your surroundings when using phones and earphones—don’t tune out and don’t text while walking. Keep expensive electronics out of sight.
- After dark, always use lighted walkways that have access to Blue Light Emergency Phones, including the pedestrian path along Plymouth Avenue South. Don’t take unlighted shortcuts. Enjoy the Erie Lackawanna Trail Bridge for recreational activity during the day, but at night it is closed and not lighted.
- Use a U-Lock instead of a cable to lock a bike. U-Locks are solid steel, can be purchased for under $20, and are very hard to cut, unlike cable locks.
- Utilize University shuttles: rochester.edu/parking/shuttles. The URMobile app also provides real-time tracking of the University shuttles.
- And as always, LET IT GO! Property can be replaced, but you are one of a kind. If you are the victim of a crime – as soon as it is safe to do so, call Public Safety at 585 275-3333 or call the police by dialing 9-1-1.
