WFU’s Emergency Manager: What we can learn from Hermine

Even though the impact of Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to be minimal in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University’s Emergency Manager August Vernon says it presents a timely reminder for students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the University’s emergency notification system known as Wake Alert.

Wake Alert provides information and advisories via a number of communication channels, including the Wake Alert website, text messaging, an outdoor warning system, campus cable TV, e-mail, Twitter, voice mail and a recorded message on the Wake Forest Weather and Emergency Phone Line.

Vernon leads the University’s crisis management team and oversees emergency planning, coordinating responses, and training of staff, faculty, students and community partners on emergency management response and programs.

He recommends members of the Wake Forest community do the following:

• Register for text alerts available to students, faculty and staff. Undergraduates are required to register.
• Bookmark the Wake Alert website (wfu.edu). It will be the go-to site for announcements in emergencies.
• Follow @WakeAlert on Twitter.
• Add the Wake Forest Weather/Emergency line (336-758-5935) to phone contacts.
• Review the emergency preparedness information on the Wake Ready website.

Vernon is available to discuss Wake Forest’s emergency preparedness efforts and the Wake Alert notification process.

Featured image courtesy of WXII.