If an emergency posed an immediate threat to the Cornell community, how would you know?

Cornell officials have plans in place to quickly alert faculty, students and staff in the event of an emergency. The notification system gets the word out by sending community members messages via voice, text and e-mail as well as sirens and public address systems. But the text and voice messaging will work only if community members have registered their contact information.

With a test of Cornell's emergency mass notification system planned for early October, the Office of Emergency Planning and Recovery is urging students, faculty and staff to register or update their emergency contact information.

"Testing the systems is our way of assuring that all will be ready when the need arises," said Peggy Matta, director of Cornell's Office of Emergency Planning and Recovery. "When things seem fairly quiet, it's hard for us to imagine that a disaster can strike, but it can, and we must be prepared for it. Providing Cornell with up-to-date emergency contact and notification information is a critical component of our emergency preparedness."

To register, students can visit https://selfservice.adminapps.cornell.edu/studentcenter/. Select the links for Emergency Contact Info and Emergency Mass Notification.

Employees should go to https://ee.ohr.cornell.edu/. Click on the Personal Information tab and select the links for EMN (emergency mass notification) Phone Number and Emergency Contact(s).

Cornell officials will use the phone numbers and other information to contact members of the community only in the event of an emergency. The information is private and confidential and will not be published or released.