Emergency Preparedness

For employees:

1. Log in to Workday via My.Fairfield
2. Click on the Personal Information application button, then Contact Information
3. Confirm your Mobile number is accurate. If it is incorrect or missing, use the Edit button at the top of the screen to add or change it.

For students:

1. Log in to My.Fairfield
2. In the search toolbar, search for “self-service” and select Student Records
3. Once in the self-service area, click on the Personal Information tab, and then the Update Cell Phone Number link
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to add or edit your cell phone number.

Students, faculty, and staff can designate one mobile phone number for the receipt of StagAlert voice calls and/or text messages. Any StagAlert e-mail messages will automatically be sent to the preferred email address on record (e.g., University-issued accounts). Students, faculty, and staff will be reminded at least annually to review and update their information online. Similarly, test messages will be sent twice per year to all students, faculty, and staff. Students can also update their information in person at the Office of the University Registrar, and faculty and staff can do so at the Office of Human Resources.

If you have difficulty updating your contact information via My.Fairfield, please send an e-mail from your University e-mail account to StagAlert@fairfield.edu with your name, Fairfield ID number, and the contact information that needs to be updated.

To maximize the effectiveness of emergency notifications, StagAlert will generally be deployed in limited situations, such as:

• When there is a clear and active (e.g., in progress or pending) emergency or risk to the University community that requires both notification and immediate action by the intended recipients
• Weather-related delays or closings that affect the start or end of classes, potential damage to property, or the reduced availability of essential University services

The University reserves the right to utilize StagAlert, at its sole discretion, for purposes other than those outlined above. Additionally, StagAlert is not intended to be a substitute for more traditional communication methods (verbal, written, or electronic), and students, faculty, and staff should not rely exclusively on receipt or non-receipt of StagAlert messages to take appropriate actions in the event of an emergency.

Students are asked to contact their parents directly and immediately in the event of an emergency notification. StagAlert communications are only sent to recipients who need to take immediate action. Most alerts are sent to select populations and are typically weather-related (e.g., our student beach-area residents being sent a flood alert), or students and staff alerted of a weather-related delay to the start of classes.

The system is tested twice per year, once in the fall semester, and once in the spring. Before testing, the University community is reminded to log in to My.Fairfield to ensure their cell phone number is up-to-date.

The University updates the contact list in the StagAlert system regularly. To comply with federal regulations regarding text messaging, anyone newly added to the system will receive a text message from Blackboard Connect confirming their enrollment and also allowing the user to opt-out. Confirmation messages are sent between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the day of system enrollment.

The initial message will be: "Fairfield University: You are now confirmed to receive alerts from us. More info text reply "HELP" or "STOP Fairfld" to opt-out. Msg & data rates may apply." If you opt out of text messaging, you will still receive recorded voice calls, as well as e-mails from StagAlert. Please note that our site code for Blackboard Connect is limited to seven letters, thus "Fairfld", in this case, is not misspelled.

If you have opted out and would like to opt in, send the keywords Start Fairfld to both 23177 and 53291. You will receive a confirmation message that you have opted in.
All messages from StagAlert will originate from either 23177 or 53291. Please save them in your address list so you know where they are originating from.

If you do not have a text-enabled phone, or you do not have texting as part of your phone's plan, you will still receive voice calls, and/or e-mails (if your phone is capable of receiving email).

• If you hear shots or know of an incident taking place but don’t see the suspect, run
• Find an accessible escape path and evacuate as far away as possible
• Have escape routes in mind before an incident happens
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Keep your hands visible
• Follow the instructions of any public safety officers
• Do not attempt to move wounded people

• Take action against the suspect as a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger
• Attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the suspect by:
  • Acting as aggressively as possible
  • Throwing items
  • Improvising weapons (pens, fire extinguishers, scissors)
  • Commit to your actions

• If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide
• Be out of the suspect’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door, large metal items, vault-style doors)
• Do not trap yourself or restrict your options for movement (have a plan B)
• To prevent the suspect from entering your hiding place lock the door and blockade the door with heavy furniture
• If the suspect is nearby: silence your cell phone and turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
• Remain quiet
• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police and public safety to the suspect’s location
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen