Campus Emergency Notification Systems

Emergency Notifications

Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. To ensure you receive important emergency information, UD Emergency Management recommends you enroll in at least three emergency notification systems. University officials may use the following resources to notify the University community of a condition that threatens the health and safety of individuals on campus.

Download this PDF that explains how to receive emergency notifications.

UD Alert

UD Alert is the University of Delaware's primary emergency notification system, facilitated through the emergency notification vendor, Send Word Now. UD Alert allows UD to send emergency messages within minutes. The system is only activated during major emergencies in which there is an imminent danger to the safety and welfare of students, faculty and staff, or if a state of emergency is declared. UD Alert messages are sent as a phone call, email, and text message. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to register to receive UD Alerts. Students, faculty and staff may visit www.udel.edu/alert/alert-instructions to learn more and register.

The LiveSafe App

LiveSafe is a FREE smartphone safety app that enhances emergency communications, helps users prevent crime, and assists users in responding to incidents. LiveSafe supplements UD Alert and permits messaging on less-critical issues (e.g. road closures). The app is available to anyone (including campus visitors) and can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play.

UD Homepage and UDaily

In the event of an emergency, UD Campus and Public Safety provides the Office of Communication and Marketing information to post on the UD home page and the UDaily news service. Anyone can subscribe to UDaily to receive emails covering breaking UD news.

Social Media

Social media is a great tool to receive real-time updates during an emergency. Make sure you are receiving information from expert, credible sources. We recommend following these accounts to ensure you receive the latest information during an incident:

Major Media Outlets

The University proactively provides major media outlets (e.g. regional radio, television, newspaper and online media sources) with real-time information concerning any emergency impacting the campus. These outlets include Delawareonline, WDEL, WPVI, and the Newark Post, among others.

Recent News Emergency Operations Plan

Storm Ready University

The University of Delaware is the first university in Delaware to gain full StormReady® status. The StormReady® program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady® communities have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes. As a StormReady® entity, the University of Delaware is better prepared to save lives from the occurrence of severe weather through advanced planning, education, and awareness. Click on this link to read the UDaily story about this award.

Blue Hen Strong

The Office of Emergency Management is proud to maintain a robust and active training and exercise program. Some recent highlights include the 2023 Blue Hen Strong full-scale exercise and two tabletop exercise's planned for 2024. One in partnership with UD-IT and the Department of Homeland Security dealing with cyber threats on campus and one, in partnership, with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and UDPD dealing with a rail spill emergency. For more information regarding UD's emergency management training and exercise program or to request support please reach out through the embedded OEM contact form.

Emergency Operations Plan

The University of Delaware has a fully developed Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) established to assist with planning and preparation for emergency situations, including proactive efforts to reduce risk and mitigate loss, as well as outline and guide those involved in response and recovery following such emergency situations.