Emergency Notification System Procedures and Protocols

USF Emergency Notification Systems

USF uses several systems to alert and inform students of emergencies and evacuation procedures.

If there were a disaster or emergency, you would be able to obtain updated bulletins and important instructions through this website.

Public Safety’s Emergency Information Webpage

DONS ALERT

Dons Alert is a system that allows the University of San Francisco's Department of Public Safety to send emergency notifications to the USF community. Notifications may be sent via email, phone call, and SMS text message to mobile devices. Through this system, communication will be sent out with instructions on where to go, what to do, whom to contact, and other information. The Department of Public Safety will determine whether notification to the community should occur. Notifications will be sent to all registered devices.

Family and community members can Opt In to register their cell phone. Text "DONSALERT2023" to 226787. Message and data rates may apply. 

Public Safety Timely Warnings

Public Safety Timely Warning messages are distributed only by email and posted on the DPS website and on DPS social media accounts. These are only sent for crimes that are reportable in the university's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This will depend on the seriousness of the crime and the likelihood it may continue.

  • These crimes include murder; manslaughter; sex offenses; robbery; aggravated assault; burglary; arson; motor vehicle theft; domestic violence; dating violence; and stalking.

Public Safety Crime Bulletin

Public Safety Crime Bulletin messages are distributed only by email and posted on the DPS website and on DPS social media accounts.

 

USFWorks (all faculty AND staff)

  1. Log into USFWorks and click "Personal Information" under Applications.
  2. Click "Home Contact Information" under Change.
  3. Under "Phone" enter/update your mobile phone number. Click "Submit."

myusf (ALL students)

  1. Log into myUSF and click "Banner Self-Service (Student)" under Top Apps.
  2. Click "Personal Information" tab.
  3. Select the "Addresses and Phones" link.
  4. Under "Phones" click on "Primary." Enter or update your 10-digit primary phone number. Dons Alert messages will be sent to the primary phone number, so a cell phone number is suggested. 

Community-wide public safety messages may be sent through a variety of channels, including email, USF's emergency notification system (text, voice, and email), social media, or a combination of all. Please note that DPS has established social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook. 

Community-wide public safety messages will be sent if one of the following criteria are met:

  • There is an active, imminent, or continuing threat of physical danger to the campus community.
  • There is an active crime scene or major incident on or immediately adjacent to campus and we need community members to avoid the area.
  • There is a perpetrator at large on or immediately adjacent to the campus.
  • Alerts may also be issued on a case-by-case basis for other incidents that impact our campus community.
  • The initial investigation into an incident indicates there is no active, imminent, or continuing threat of physical danger to the campus community.
  • Another law enforcement agency has jurisdiction or is the lead investigator on an active case, and we have been directed not to issue a notice.
  • Communicating broadly will impede or jeopardize an active investigation.

Loudspeakers located on the top of Toler Hall and the Lone Mountain campus may be activated for very urgent situations. - Note: Siren system being updated and is currently off line.

UNIVERSITY SIRENS

In collaboration with the University of San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management has installed an emergency broadcast tower on the roof of Lone Mountain’s main building.

Every Tuesday at noon, the siren and voice broadcast capabilities will be tested. Expect to hear a loud siren with a brief verbal message following explaining the details of the test.

The University of San Francisco will also have access to utilizing the system in the event of an emergency on campus. In addition to the city-wide test every Tuesday, the University of San Francisco will be conducting its own tests periodically. Tests will be preceded by a myUSF and email message.

  • A Public Safety Crime Bulletin is a warning about an ongoing property crime problem and about general safety-related information.
  • Public Safety Update provides information regarding a threat that has passed or an update to a previously issued Public Safety Notice.