DU Alerts: Staying Safe During Campus Emergencies

Together, Duquesne’s Department of Public Safety, the Office of Emergency Management and Threat Assessment and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety understand that in an emergency, seconds matter. These can arise from a variety of sources ranging from natural disasters to the presence of an intruder to hazardous material spills. Knowing how to respond during these moments is critical for students, faculty and staff. That’s where DU Alerts come in. 

The DU Alert is an automated message notification system that Duquesne uses to contact subscribed University community members during emergencies or major disruptions on campus. 

Four specific Emergency Protective Actions have been designed to keep our campus safe: Shelter, Secure, Lockdown, and Evacuate. Each DU Alert delivers essential information: the type of incident, the location (if known) and the protective action you need to take. Here's how each protective action works:

Shelter

If a DU Alert directs you to shelter, your immediate response should be to seek safety indoors.

• This action is typically issued during incidents like hazardous material releases or other non-violent events that make it unsafe to remain outdoors. 
• Once inside, move away from windows, doors, and exterior walls. 
• If the alert is for a hazardous material leak, be sure to close all exterior windows and doors to minimize exposure.

Secure

If a DU Alert announces a secure protective action, individuals should get and stay indoors and Public Safety will lock access to the building.  

• This action is designed to protect building occupants and initiated when there is a potential external threat, whether on or off campus. 
• When a secure alert is issued, immediately enter the nearest building. 
• Once inside, lock all exterior doors, close any blinds, and stay away from windows. 
• This action helps to safeguard the community against external threats, like nearby criminal activity or disturbances.

Lockdown

When a DU Alert announces a lockdown, it is one of the most serious protective actions and is reserved for critical threats such as an active shooter or dangerous individuals in a campus building. 

• This action is designed to keep you safe by limiting movement and preventing access to unsafe areas. 
• If you're outside when a lockdown is called, seek shelter in the nearest building. 
• Once indoors, lock the doors to your room or office, barricade the door if possible, and find a secure place to hide—preferably out of sight from windows. 
• Silence your electronic devices and remain quiet until the all-clear is given. 

Evacuate

When a DU Alert announces to evacuate, it is because it is safer to leave the building than to stay inside. 

• This action is designed to ensure you leave a potentially dangerous location. 
• An evacuate alert could apply to one building, multiple buildings, or even the entire campus. 
• In the event of an evacuation, all non-essential individuals are required to exit the affected area and proceed to a designated safe zone. 
• To ensure you’re prepared, take time now to familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and assembly points for your building.

Stay Connected and Informed

In order to know when and where any of these protective actions are required, it is vital that you are signed up for DU Alerts. If you haven’t yet registered or if you need to update your contact information, visit the Public Safety website.

By taking the right actions when a DU Alert is sent, you can protect yourself and others, helping to maintain the safety and security of our campus community. Stay informed, stay prepared and stay safe.