Months after its launch, UVic is still struggling to get staff and students to sign up for its Emergency Alerts system.

As of Sept. 15, only 12 per cent of the UVic population, or 2,164 students and 324 faculty, had registered their cell phone number to receive a text message in the event of an emergency.

The alert system, which was developed to better communicate with the university community in the event of an emergency through text messaging, e-mail and phone, is the latest initative to improve security on campus.

Peter Zacour, the Director or Campus security, says communication is key to effectively respond to a potentially hazardous situation.

“This system is in its initial stages, however it will facilitate quick and easy contact with students and employees with pertinent information surrounding what is required of them in the given circumstances,” said Zacour.

The public is regularly flooded with images of far-off tragedies of school shootings, earthquakes and tsunamis, but many wonder if UVic would be ready if such an event were to happen here.

While most students remain unaware of what to do in an emergency, the university insists that it has undertaken adequate preparations to ensure the safety of staff and students if a catastrophic event did happen.

“The university takes the health and safety of its students and staff very seriously,” said Daphne Donaldson, UVic’s Emergency Planner.

“In addition to creating emergency plans and procedures, we are constantly participating in training and exercises to gain experience and improve our plans.”

There are over 500 faculty, staff and executive personnel on campus that are part of teams trained to respond to any situation.

The level and type of response can be tailored to a particular emergency. UVic’s 89-page emergency plan also emphasizes a co-ordinated response with any municipal and provincial emergency officials involved.

Building fires are the greatest potential threat to the safety of people on campus.

Consequently, UVic has established teams in every building to assist with evacuations and every building on campus is required to have an annual fire drill.

While UVic is safe from tsunamis due to its high elevation, earthquakes remain another potential threat.

All buildings have been built to seismic codes with newer buildings understandably being built with higher seismic standards.

Donaldson said she’s confident the buildings would withstand a major earthquake, with older buildings having received seismic upgrades.

The greater concern is injuries from non-structural damage such as broken glass, falling ceiling tiles and the movement of large furniture.

In a major regional emergency, where outside help could be days away, UVic would launch its own response.

All available resources, including people, equipment and supplies, would be used, and UVic has pre-planned potential sources of food and essential supplies.

Donaldson stresses that in this kind of situation individual resiliency is important. Individuals should prepare to be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days and potentially up to one week.

Violent situations on campus would be dealt with by police, but UVic would still play a role.

The university would provide whatever support is required by police, and would communicate with the university community on how to use the new UVic Alerts system.

Information on what to do in an emergency can also be found on the Emergency Procedures posters posted throughout campus.

This information is also available on the UVic Emergency Management website.

Donaldson strongly encourages staff and students to register their cell phone number so that they can receive a text message in the event of an emergency.