SDSU Ready Day set for Sept. 16, university to conduct fall emergency systems test
This semester’s SDSU Ready Day theme focuses on preparedness in the event of an active shooter situation.
San Diego State University will hold its fall emergency systems test on Sept. 16 at approximately 10:05 a.m., as part of SDSU Ready Day, a twice-annual initiative focused on proactive emergency preparedness.
During 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. The redundancy of these communications is deliberate to ensure that accurate, timely information is shared as broadly as possible. During an actual emergency, the types of notifications issued may vary depending on the nature of the situation.
The fall 2026 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.
“SDSU Ready Day provides our campus community with the knowledge and resources needed to respond confidently during an emergency,” said SDSU Chief of Police Gregory Murphy. “By testing our emergency systems and practicing guidance such as Run. Hide. Fight., we help ensure students, faculty and staff understand what actions to take when every second matters. Preparation strengthens our collective ability to keep ourselves and one another safe.”
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 can not run or hide. Individuals should use any nearby items to distract or disable the shooter.
SDSU Ready Day tabling events
On Sept. 10 at SDSU Imperial Valley and Sept. 14-15 at SDSU, the SDSU Police Department (UPD) will host tabling events at SDSU 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.
SDSU Imperial Valley:
Thursday, Sept. 10
11:30 a.m.--4:30 p.m.
SDSU Imperial Valley Library
SDSU:
Monday, Sept. 14
10 a.m.--2 p.m.
Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Tuesday, Sept. 15
10 a.m.--2 p.m.
SDSU Bookstore
Active Shooter Response Training at SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley
Additionally, as part of the SDSU Ready Day programming, UPD will host an in-person active shooter response training presentation at both SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley.
The SDSU active shooter response training presentation will take place on Sept. 16, from 11 a.m.--12:15 p.m. at Templo Mayor, which is located on the second floor of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. All interested SDSU faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend. To sign-up for the training, please complete and submit this form. Please bring your RedID with you, as it will be checked at the door.
The SDSU Imperial Valley active shooter response training will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 9--10 a.m. inside LA building, classroom 3. All faculty, staff and students interested in attending, are required to complete and submit this form.
Importantly, if unable to attend the September training opportunities due to scheduling or space, 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 SDSU Safe App is available for free via the Apple 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
