Emergency notifications

How to get notified in the event of an emergency

Emergency notification systems

Emergency notification systems are used at the local (UBC), regional, provincial and national level to share life safety information when there is considered a threat of life or to provide updates and further information to the community.

Alerts may be in regards to events such as fire, biological hazardous environment, natural, national security, civil emergency, or administrative tests.

There is a variety of ways by which you may receive safety information on your mobile depending on the type, location, and scale of the incident.

To receive information of incidents in your area make sure to sign up and download local notification systems such as UBC Alert, the mobile UBC Safe Vancouver App and Alertable.

UBC Alert (local notification)

UBC Alert is the university’s mass notification system to send alerts in urgent situations that pose an immediate safety or security risk to the community. These kinds of systems are becoming common in Canadian colleges and universities, and are part of the university’s commitment to proactively plan for rare but possible emergency situations.

In an urgent situation on campus, UBC wants to increase the likelihood that students, faculty, and staff receive the latest information about what is happening as soon as possible. This way, you can make informed decisions that prioritize your personal safety.

The notification system is coordinated on UBC’s main website UBC.ca and digital signage across campus.

When will UBC Alert be used?

UBC Alert will be used in active and urgent situations that require your immediate attention because they have the potential to:

• Result in serious harm to people;
• Cause substantial damage to property; and/or
• Disrupt the usual activities of the university.

The Emergency Management team will work with campus partners to determine on a case-by-case basis if the size and severity of the incident has a likelihood of impacting the UBC community, property or operations and warrants the use of the system.

Update your contact information in Workday

UBC students, faculty, and staff are automatically signed up through Workday for UBC Alerts. Including a mobile number in your Workday contact information will enable UBC to send a text message in urgent situations that pose an immediate safety or security risk to the community. You can review and edit your contact information by logging into Workday.

• Faculty and staff: For information on how to access Workday and update your contact information, visit the Workday Knowledge base. If you encounter problems when using Workday, please visit the Integrated Service Centre (ISC).
• Students: For information on how to access Workday and update your contact information, visit Workday students.
• University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) Residents: UBC Alert is connected to the UNA Account primary contact number. If you have a UNA Account, we encourage you to check if your emergency contact information is correct by updating your “Primary Phone” on your UNA Profile Page. Alternatively, you can email support@myuna.ca for updates or changes. If you do not have a UNA Account, you can sign up online or by visiting any UNA community center.

Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Workday to receive UBC Alerts and add the UBC Alert phone numbers to your contact list to receive incoming UBC Alert notifications on your phone.

• Voice calls: 604-670-8223
• Text messages: 723-389

UBC Safe Vancouver App (local notification)

UBC Safe is the official mobile safety app of UBC Vancouver (Point Grey). This multi-function app allows you to receive important safety push notifications, safety information, contacts, maps and procedures—all in one place!

• UBC push notifications: Turn on your push notifications to receive immediate information and updates that are impacting the entire campus — e.g., weather advisories, class cancellations, etc.
• Campus resources: Access important safety and support resources in one convenient place.
• Critical services: Connect with Campus Security for assistance, access First Aid when needed, or arrange for SafeWalk to your car.

Alertable (regional notification)

​In addition to registering for UBC Alert, UBC students, faculty, and staff, and UNA residents are encouraged to subscribe to Alertable. Alertable is a mass public alert system to help you and your family stay informed and safe during an emergency at all Metro Vancouver facilities and critical infrastructure, ​Cleveland Dam, Seymour Falls Dam or in Electoral Area A.​​​​​

Check your municipalities website for more information on the system used.

Alert Ready (provincial and national notification)

The National Public Alerting System (NPAS) also known as Alert Ready is used by federal and provincial governments to send emergency information if it is considered a threat to life. Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices. Registration is not required.

Since its activation, Earthquake Early Warning System alerts will be sent via Alert Ready. Learn more about the Early Earthquake Warning System.

Stay informed

In an emergency, you may experience limited communication options. Stay tuned to the radio or TV for important updates including phone-use instructions.

Once it’s safe to do so, call or text your designated contact to let them know how you are, where you are, and what your plans are. Keep the conversation brief. If possible, arrange a time to check in again.

Follow trusted sources.