Emergency Planning Program | Environmental, Health and Safety Services | Virginia Tech
Environmental, Health and Safety Services

Emergency Alert Systems

Virginia Tech has a very robust EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM that is designed to provide instant notification to students, faculty and staff of imminently dangerous conditions. Emergency conditions may be announced by:

  • The Early Warning Siren System
  • Voice or text messages sent via VT Alert to your phone, cell phone or other device
  • Emails sent to all or portions of the univeristy community
  • Announcements made on local television or radio stations
  • Emergency announcements posted on Virginia Tech's main webpage.
  • Messages sent to departments through the departmental reporting chain
  • Other means as necessary.

What is VT Alerts?

VT Alerts is Virginia Tech's urgent notification system, comprised of a variety of methods by which the university can contact students, faculty, and staff. You are encouraged to subscribe to this service!

What is the Early Warning Siren System?

The siren system would be used, for example, if there was in imminent threat from severe weather such as a tornado, a chemical spill that would require that you find shelter indoors, and similar situations where it would be potentially dangerous to remain outdoors. In an emergency, sirens around campus will either sound continuously for at least three minutes and/or you will hear a voice message providing specific instructions on how you should respond.

If you hear the Early Warning Siren:

  • If you are inside, STAY inside and seek information from the sources listed below.
  • If outdoors, seek shelter inside the closest building immediately and then seek information from the sources listed below.

Seek information about the emergency from these sources:

  • Call the Virginia Tech emergency information phone number: 231-6668.
  • Check university cable channels 2 through 6
  • Listen to radio channel 90.7 (WUVT)
  • Check Virginia Tech's website.

These sources will tell you what to do next.

All clear notice

When danger has passed, a single 30-second siren blast will sound and the siren system will announce "all clear".

For more information, please contact Environmental, Health and Safety Services or call (540) 231-5985.