Category Archives: Alert

Be Prepared by “Being in the Know”

This is our final week of Preparedness Month and daily blog posts. In previous weeks, we talked about being prepared at the College, making an emergency plan, and making an emergency kit. This final week we will discuss how to be prepared for specific emergencies that are common to our area.

You frequently hear NOVA’s Office of Emergency Management and Safety encourage you to prepare and plan for “insert emergency here.” It can be confusing to recall recommended actions during different types of emergencies to keep yourself safe. If only there was an app to help us remember various emergency preparedness tips!

While there are many apps out there providing emergency information, two are highlighted below that provide great information to help you be prepared for various emergencies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) App

  • Receive fast and reliable weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations nationwide.
  • Learn how to prepare for emergencies and useful tips to keep you and your loved ones safe before, during and after disasters.
  • Prepare your emergency kit, make a family plan, and set reminders.
  • Locate open shelters and disaster resource centers near you.
  • Submit photos of damage in your area to help first responders.

American Red Cross Apps

  • Several apps that provide tools and preparedness information you need every day.
  • Apps include: first aid, pet first aid, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, and many others.
  • Monster Guard app for kids aged 7-11 that teaches preparedness for real-life emergencies at home.

Additionally, there are two websites the Office of Emergency Management and Safety recommends to review.

www.ready.gov – Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Ready.gov is a tool to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.

www.vaemergency.gov – Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Discover how to best prepare for natural disasters and emergencies impacting Virginia and how to find resources for recovery action plans.

Your local jurisdictions also provide location-specific alerting for residents and guests within their jurisdictions. Sign up today to receive local alerts—including traffic, weather, and more—where you live:

Remember – emergency preparedness starts with YOU and can save your life! Take the time to review this information prior to an emergency so you will be prepared to ACT.

NOVA Safety Video

Today is the start of the third week of classes! By now, everyone should be settled in and feeling prepared for the great semester ahead–but do not forget to prepare yourself for emergencies as well!

At the beginning of every semester, the Office of Emergency Management and Safety challenges the entire NOVA community to watch the NOVA Safety Video and refresh yourself on emergency procedures and resources. If you have not watched the video yet, or shared it with your class, please take 10 minutes to do so now.

NOVA Alert

When was the last time you logged into NOVA Alert? At the beginning of the semester? Years ago? Never?

To receive NOVA Alerts, you must register for them! This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised of the number of students (and faculty/staff too) who show up to campus long after a NOVA Alert was sent closing a campus or entire College.

At the beginning of every semester, take a few minutes to follow the following three steps that will help ensure you receive alerts when timely and accurate information is vital.

  1. Log into http://alert.nvcc.edu with your MyNOVA account.
  2. Ensure your contact information is complete and accurate.
    • Note: By default you already have your NOVA email added to your account, but the College strongly recommends you add your personal cell phone and personal email address to ensure you receive alerts. You can even add a family member’s number/email as well!
  3. Test your ability to receive alerts by clicking the “Test” button next to each contact number and email address. This will ensure NOVA’s alert system can send you an alert.

Remember to keep your phone on and with you while on campus or in a classroom. Also, visit https://www.nvcc.edu/emergency/alert.html to learn about other methods alerts may be sent.