Emergency Alerts

Obtaining accurate information during a crisis can be a challenge, this is why the university will utilize a variety of methods to alert and keep the university community informed of emergency situation as well as the impact, if any, on university operations.

Depending on the magnitude of the emergency, a single method or combination of methods may be used. This may include but is not limited to: building public address systems, e-mail, the university home and portal pages, emergency information line, text messaging, twitter and the university emergency notification system.

Text messaging

Text messaging is a quick and efficient way to receive information concerning an emergency situation on campus. Students who have provided a cell phone number at registration are automatically registered to receive emergency text messages. If you have not provided a cell phone number or would like to validate and/or update your cell phone information, you can do so on your portal page at www.myconcordia.ca and clicking on “messaging”. Staff and faculty are not registered automatically to receive emergency text messaging but are encouraged to register on their portal page. The university text messaging system uses the following short code (62424). Note: text messages may take up to one hour to reach all recipients during a large messaging campaign.

Emergency information line (514-848-8800)

Emergency information line (514-848-8800) can be called to listen to recorded information concerning the status of an emergency and affected university operations. Messages will be posted and regularly updated in the event that an emergency situation has caused a building or buildings to be closed for an extended period of time.

Building publics address systems (P.A.);

These systems are part of the buildings fire alarm system and will be used to communicate an emergency situation in the building or in close proximity to the building. If a building evacuation becomes necessary the P.A. will be used with the fire alarm system. In the event of a shelter in place emergency, only the P.A. system will be used and no fire bells will be heard It is often the first system activated during an emergency.

Concordia emergency notification system

Concordia emergency notification system is an automated system used to notify designated university personnel, such as emergency responders, department emergency contacts and senior administration of an emergency situation. The system functions on several platforms, placing calls to office phones, cell phones, home phones as well as e-mail and text messages. The system can also be used to notify building occupants of an emergency in those buildings that do not have a P.A. systems. The system uses the following phone number 1-888-365-8925 and users should recognize the number as the emergency notification system and not ignore a call from this number.

Twitter

The university has also created a Twitter account that will be used for emergency notification. Follow the Twitter feed here to receive tweets about emergency situations that may affect university operations.