UF plans to run a test of its emergency-notification system today.
The test, coordinated by the University Police Department and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, will assess four of UF's emergency-alert tools. Steve Orlando, UF spokesman, said the text messages would be sent in mid-morning.
UF ran a test of its text-messaging system in January, but today marks the first attempt of using all four systems at the same time.
The first text-messaging test in January had an 86 percent success rate, reaching more than 41,300 of about 44,000 cell phones. The plan now has 52,680 numbers, he said.
The text took 50 minutes to reach phones in January, and getting the text to recipients' inboxes in less than 30 minutes is the goal today.
In an emergency, a mass e-mail, which would be sent to more than 70,000 faculty, students and staff, would provide details of the situation.
The automated telephone-notification system, also called a reverse-911 call, will dial the landlines of a designated building and leave a message with instructions for those on the other end. Only a few buildings will be tested, Orlando said.
UPD Chief Linda Stump said the reverse-911 call is the quickest way to get word out in a crisis. Trial messages will also be posted on UF's home page throughout the length of the test.
Orlando said UF plans to run full tests of its emergency-notification system once or twice a year.
