SDSU Ready Day set for Feb. 19, university to conduct spring emergency systems test

As part of ongoing efforts to promote community-wide preparedness and improve emergency communication tools, San Diego State University will hold its spring emergency systems test at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19.

Known as “SDSU Ready Day,” the university will activate its emergency communication systems to simulate the types of alerts that would be sent during a real campus emergency. These notifications will include emails, text messages, digital signage, web updates and social media content for about one minute at 10 a.m. Feb. 19. 

The redundancy of these communications is deliberate to ensure accurate, timely information is shared as broadly as possible. During an actual emergency, the types of notifications issued may vary depending on the situation. 

“SDSU Ready Day is about making sure our campus community knows what to expect and how to respond if the unthinkable happens,” said SDSU Chief of Police Gregory Murphy. “Testing our emergency systems and reinforcing clear, consistent language like Run. Hide. Fight. helps reduce confusion and saves critical time in a real emergency. Preparedness is always about giving people the tools and confidence to protect themselves and others.”

SDSU Ready Day is held twice each academic year, in the fall and spring semesters. In fall 2025, the theme was centered around general emergency preparedness and the university’s proactive safety resources. 

The spring semester’s theme focuses on preparedness for an active shooter situation, with two main goals: encouraging engagement with the university’s active shooter training video and increasing familiarization with the specific language used in university emergency communications during an active shooter incident. 

Understanding this language is critical so campus community members can quickly recognize terms like “Run. Hide. Fight.” and take appropriate action without hesitation.

“Effective emergency response depends on familiarity, clarity and trust,” said Josh Mays, associate vice president of Public Safety and Community Empowerment. “SDSU Ready Day allows us to practice how we communicate so that, in a real emergency, messages are immediately recognizable and actionable.” 

The following is language that may be used in university emergency communications, via SDSU Alerts, which are sent via text, SDSU Safe App push notifications, and posted on social media, among other communication channels:

Key language 

Run. Hide. Fight. is a widely used active shooter situation strategy, Run. Hide. Fight. is also outlined in the university’s 11-minute active shooter training video, and designed to give people a simple framework to follow in the event of an active shooter situation. 

Run means immediately flee the area if you can do so safely. 

Hide applies when escape is not possible. It involves finding a secure location out of the shooter’s view, locking and barricading yourself, and staying quiet, including silencing your phone, until help arrives. 

Fight applies when an individual is confronted by the shooter and cannot run or hide. Individuals should use any nearby items to distract or disable the shooter.

SDSU Ready Day tabling events 

On Feb. 16-17 the SDSU Police Department (UPD) will host tabling events where students, faculty and staff can pick up giveaways, ask questions and learn more about emergency response procedures, SDSU Safe App features, and campus safety resources. 

Monday, Feb. 16: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union 

Tuesday, Feb. 17: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., SDSU Bookstore

Active Shooter Response Training at SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley 

Additionally, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, UPD will host an in-person active shooter response training presentation at SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley.

The SDSU active shooter response training presentation is at 1 p.m. in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theatre. All interested SDSU faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend. To sign up for the training, please complete and submit this online form. Please bring your RedID with you, as it will be checked at the door. 

The SDSU Imperial Valley active shooter response training is at 9 a.m. classroom LA-1. All faculty, staff and students interested in attending, are required to complete and submit this form.

For those unable to attend the Feb. 18 training opportunities, UPD hosts on-demand active shooter response training throughout the year. Additional information, including how to request a training, can be found online.

Update your contact information, download the SDSU Safe app 

To prepare, SDSU community members should verify or update their emergency contact information on file with the university and also ensure they are signed up for mobile text alerts. The free SDSU Safe App is available via the Apple App and Google Play stores, and users should make sure that notifications are turned on for both their phone and the app to ensure they receive timely emergency notifications via push alert. 

These routine, non-emergency tests are essential to ensuring the reliability of SDSU’s emergency communication systems and preparing the campus community to respond effectively in a real emergency.

More information is available online and via social media: 

• SDSU Ready Day
• Urgent.sdsu.edu
• UPD on Instagram and Facebook