Apply
  1. UofR Home
  2. Emergency
  3. Emergency Notification System (ENS)

Emergency Notification System (ENS)

The University of Regina’s Emergency Notification System (ENS) is designed to ensure effective and timely warnings are delivered to students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus in the event of a life threatening situation when people must take immediate action to stay safe on campus.

The ENS leverages existing infrastructure, such as computer monitors and television screens across the main and College Avenue campuses, and also pushes messaging to the U of R Alertus app, and the official University of Regina Twitter channel.

The ENS is not linked to the Fire Alarm System and will not activate when the fire alarm sounds. Decisions to activate the ENS are made on a situation-by-situation basis.

Alertus App and Alertus Wall Beacon

mobile phones showing Alertus message

Two essential parts of the Emergency Notification System on Campus

Alertus app

  • Look for the Alertus Recipient app on the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store.
  • Download it to receive emergency notifications on your mobile device.
  • Be sure to enable notifications on your phone and update to version 3.2.5 of the app to receive messages.
  • Type in “uralerts” (case sensitive) when asked to enter your organization code.

Alertus wall beacon

  • Look for beacons like this one for emergency messaging.
  • Beacons are installed on walls in common areas, classrooms, dormitories and other spaces on campus.
Alertus beacon image

Emergency Notification System (ENS) Essentials

Where to Watch for Emergency Notification Messages

In an emergency, look for ENS messages in the following locations:

  • On wall-mounted beacons located in common areas, classrooms, dormitories and other occupant spaces on campus (see image below).

  • On computers connected to the University of Regina Novell system.

  • On television screens in campus hallways.

  • On the University’s Twitter channel.

  • On mobile devices using the free Alertus app (see download instructions below).

  • On personal computers that have been connected to the Alertus system (see connection instructions below).

What Kind of Messages to Expect

In an emergency, a potential message may read:

Tornado warning issued for Regina.
Remain indoors.
Take shelter in interior rooms or stairwells without windows.
www.uregina.ca/emergency

Alertus wall beacon
  • Look for beacons like this one for emergency messaging.
  • Beacons are installed on walls in common areas, classrooms, dormitories and other spaces on campus.
alertus-beacon
Alertus app
  • Look for the Alertus Recipient app on the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store.
  • Download it to receive emergency notifications on your mobile device.
  • Be sure to enable notifications on your phone and update to version 3.2.5 of the app to receive messages.
  • Type in “uralerts” (case sensitive) when asked to enter your organization code.
alertus-app-icon
How to Download the Alertus App to Your Mobile Device

The Alertus app is available on the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). Here are the steps to download the app. Be sure to enable notifications for the app on your phone and update to the latest version (3.2.5) to receive notifications.

  1. Look for the yellow Alertus icon.
  2. Download the app.
  3. Type in “uralerts” (case sensitive) when asked to enter your organization code.
  4. You will then be asked to submit your email address and will subsequently be sent an email verification notice.
  5. Once you verify your email, you are automatically signed up to receive any University of Regina ENS push notifications.
How to Update the Alertus App to the Latest Version (3.2.5)

From time to time, the Alertus app is updated to fix bugs. The update should push to all devices automatically; however if you have disabled automatic updates on your device, it will not receive the update and the bugs will not be fixed.

Follow these steps to ensure that you are using the latest version of the app to receive emergency alerts from the University of Regina:

  1. Select the Alertus app from your phone screen and click to open the app.
  2. Check to see if your status is "online".
  3. Select the "Settings" icon in the bottom right of the screen.
  4. Check to see if Version 3.2.5 appears as the latest version.
  5. If your app shows as offline or doesn't have version 3.2.5, you will need to update your app to receive notifications using the following steps:
    1. Go to the App Store (iOS) or PlayStore (Android) from the icons on your phone.
    2. Type "Alertus" in the search bar.
    3. Click on the gold "Alertus Utilities" icon (iOS) or the gold "Alertus Technologies LLC" app icon (Android).
    4. When a little wheel appears, click it.
    5. When "Open" appears, click it and your Alertus app will be updated.
How to Connect Alertus to Your Personal Computer

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to connect personal computers, such as laptops, to this system to automatically receive urgent notification/warnings in the event of an emergency. Personal computers must be connected to either the University’s eduroam wireless network or the traditional wired network.

To connect, follow the download instructions available at:

Wireless users will only receive notices when connected to the eduroam wireless system. For instructions to connect to the eduroam wireless system, please see:

Questions About ENS and Alertus?

Please call Health, Safety and Wellness at 306-337-2370 or email health.safety@uregina.ca

Emergency Notification System (ENS) Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Emergency Notification System (ENS)?

The ENS is the university’s multi-faceted emergency notification system designed to alert faculty, staff, students, and other members of our community in an emergency.

The ENS leverages existing infrastructure, such as computer monitors and television screens, as well as the Alertus app for mobile devices, to display emergency messaging.

Throughout common areas, classrooms, dormitories and other occupant spaces, Emergency Mass Notification beacons, wall-mounted appliances with integrated flash sounder signaling and message display, are installed to display emergency messaging. The ENS will also automatically push messages to other communication channels such as computers connected to the University of Regina Novell system.

How does the ENS work?

In the event of a life threatening emergency, faculty, staff and students will receive messaging, delivered through the network of communication channels that provides basic information about the type of emergency and safety instructions.

For example, a message may read:

Tornado warning issued for Regina.
Remain indoors.
Take shelter in interior rooms or stairwells without windows.
www.uregina.ca/emergency 
Who will receive messages and how will they receive them?

The ENS is designed to alert faculty, staff, students, and other members of our community in an emergency.

It uses a network of communications channels to carry out activities such as (not limited to):

  • Delivering urgent notification/warnings to every computer logged into the University of Regina Novell system.
  • Delivering urgent notifications/warnings to over 150 Emergency Mass Notification beacons strategically placed in areas of high visibility around the University of Regina.
  • Delivering urgent notifications/warnings audibly to areas equipped with Alertus Emergency Mass Notification speakers, including the Academic Green, College West, the Language Institute and Gym 1.
  • Delivering urgent notifications to the University of Regina’s Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/UofRegina).
  • Delivering emergency messages to television monitors/screens across the University of Regina.
  • Delivering emergency messages to the Alertus app for mobile devices.

The University of Regina also utilizes its website, e-mail system and fire alarm system to notify people of potential emergencies.

When will the ENS be used?

The University has determined the ENS will only be used when:

  1. A life threatening situation exists
  2. People must take immediate action to stay safe

Decisions to activate the ENS are made on a situation-by-situation basis by Campus Security.

A potential message may read:

Tornado warning issued for Regina.
Remain indoors.
Take shelter in interior rooms or stairwells without windows.
www.uregina.ca/emergency
What should I do when I get, see, or hear an emergency message?

Follow the instructions in the message and, if possible, check the University of Regina Emergency Info website for additional information and instructions. Do NOT go to the location of the incident.

Notify others in your location. If they have not received the emergency message, inform them of the alert and the instructions.

Following an emergency situation, or when safe to return to normal activity, you will receive/see/hear this message:

All clear. The emergency condition is over. Return to normal activities.

**Before an emergency occurs, read more about Emergency Preparedness to learn how to prepare for emergency situations.

How will I get updates about the Emergency?

Following the initial ENS activation, the University’s Emergency Info website will be continually updated to house:

  1. Current and accurate information
  2. Safety instructions
  3. Educational materials
Will all ENS devices activate at the same time?

No. Beacons, computers and building systems may receive messages at slightly different times. The speed of delivery varies dependent upon the communications mechanism being utilized. The university understands the limitations of single delivery systems and, therefore, uses multiple points of contact to achieve our goal to reach a critical mass of our community with the critical information as quickly as possible.

Where should I go to learn about emergency preparedness?

The University’s Emergency Info website is the best source of preparedness information for a wide variety of possible emergencies.

All members of the University community are encouraged to visit this site and learn how to be prepared and stay safe in an emergency. The Emergency Preparedness Guide is also posted in many offices and on many bulletin boards across the University of Regina.

Is the ENS available at the College Avenue campus?

The ENS is available at the main and College Avenue campuses.

 

Do the federated colleges operate on the same system?

The University is working with its federated partners to provide them the opportunity to implement the ENS.

How do I register my computer to receive messages?

Computers managed through Novell Zenworks will automatically display ENS messages.

The computer screen may be immediately cleared by clicking on the acknowledge button on the bottom of the screen.

What do I need to do to be sure I receive emergency messages on my computer?

If your computer displays the Alertus logo in the lower right corner of your Windows desktop then the computer will display emergency messages whenever the computer is connected to the University of Regina network.

If the logo does not appear in the lower right corner of the Windows desktop, the Alertus desktop client software has not been installed.  Please contact the IT Support Centre at IT.Support@uregina.ca or 585-4685 for assistance in resolving the issue, or download and self-install the client software by visiting: http://www.uregina.ca/is/infrastructure/network/downloads/index.html

Will I receive a test message after I register my computer?
No. You will not automatically receive a test message after you provide your contact information. The university plans tests of the Alertus system at regular intervals.
Will I receive any other messages/spam after registering my computer on the Alertus system?

No, Alertus is used only for the transmission of emergency messages and only authorized university personnel are permitted to send messages using the Alertus system.

Is there a fee for downloading the software on my computer and/or receiving emergency messages?

No. This is a service provided at no cost to users.

What should I do if other members of the university community receive an emergency message and I do not?

Check to see if your computer displays the Alertus logo in the lower right corner of your Windows desktop.  If you have previously registered your computer and the logo does not appear please contact the IT Support Centre at IT.Support@uregina.ca or 585-4685 for assistance in resolving the issue.

If you have not previously registered your computer, download and self-install the client software by visiting: http://www.uregina.ca/is/infrastructure/network/downloads/index.html

Can my parents, spouse or other family members receive emergency messages through Alertus?

No. Only registered Students, Faculty and Staff are able to download the Alertus software on their personal computers.

 

When will I be removed from the Alertus system?

If you have self-installed the Alertus desktop software you must remove the software from your system in order to stop receiving emergency messages when connected to the University of Regina network.

Remove the software using the typical process for your operating system.

If I have additional questions about this system and/or the University of Regina Emergency Preparedness program who should I contact?

Please call Health, Safety and Wellness at 306-337-2370 or email health.safety@uregina.ca