Emergency Preparedness

This page is specifically designed to provide you with a few of the most important things that you may do to prepare for emergencies. Please also familiarize yourself with the resources available throughout this site.

1. Make sure that your student is registered for AppState-ALERTs. Using a combination of text messaging, voice messaging, the siren warning system in Boone, PC desktop alerts, email and web technologies, AppState-ALERT is designed to provide App State students, employees and their family members with timely information in the event of a campus emergency in Boone or Hickory. 
2. Parents and families can register to receive AppState-ALERTs via text message. Text “appstatefamily” to 67283. All cell phone numbers are kept confidential, and your registration will remain in the system for the academic year or until you opt out. You will receive a text notification if it is time for you to resubscribe.
3. Create a plan to get in contact with your student and/or family members during and immediatly after an emergency. Resources like the American Red Cross' Safe and Well List provide a tips list for making contact during or immediately after an emegency. 
4. Campus may not be accessible during or immediately after emergency, so make plans as though you will not be able to access campus. 
5. Since phone service may be unavailable temporarily, try to identify at least two methods for contacting your student or family members during an emergency. 

Learn about the Boone and Hickory areas and ask questions. 

1. Maps of the University are available for download. 
2. You can find more information on the Town of Boone's website and the City of Hickory's website. 
3. Finally, if you need more information, please contact the Office of EHS&EM.

Learn about other personal safety programs on the App State campus. The Appalachian Police Department (APD) is responsible for protecting life and property on campus 24/7. Officers patrol by car and foot, and have complete authority to apprehend and arrest anyone who violates North Carolina State Law on campus, on campus properties and on roadways adjacent to campus properties. They provide many services including:

• Bicycle Registration - all bicycle riders are encouraged to register their bicycles as a deterrent to crime and to promote safety.
• Blue Light Emergency Phones - there are over 65 Emergency Blue Light Telephones located across the campus. These phones only require one button to be pushed and the call will ring directly to APD and automatically identify the caller's location so assistance can be sent quickly.
• Mountaineer Safe Walk– APD operates a campus escort service, Mountaineer Safe Walk, to provide a safety escort service for students during the evening hours who may feel uncomfortable walking alone after dark. 
  • Students who need a safety escort to or from any campus owned building or parking lot in Boone can call Safe Walk at 828-262-7433 seven days per week (excluding university holidays and both summer sessions).
  • Any student in Boone or Hickory who needs a safety escort may call 828-262-8000 anytime, to request assistaince.

The Office of EHS&EM also provides safety support and emergency response services to App State.

• Mountaineer Medics is App State’s career development and emergency medical service (EMS) agency.
  • Mountaineer Medics functions as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in the Watauga County EMS system, and is composed of App State students and employees who are certified EMTs or carry a higher level credential.
  • Mountaineer Medics also host monthly cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses for individuals and groups on campus and in the community. Register here for a CPR course. 
• Make sure that you prepare yourself for emergencies. Although you may not live on campus or in the Boone or Hickory area, you are an important member of the App State family! Visit www.readync.org for personal emergency preparedness tips.

1. When an emergency occurs on campus, visit www.appstatealert.com for official updates from the University. Bookmark this site in your internet browser. Appstatealert.com is the official university resource for campus emergency information and updates during an emergency on campus in Boone and/or Hickory.
2. Do not come to campus during or immediately after a campus emergency unless it is safe to do so. It can delay or even impede initial, emergency response efforts. The University will coordainte updates as soon as possible and share them with campus and AppState-ALERT subscribers.
3. Think positively. Although cell phones may be down and the campus is inaccessible during an emergency, App State is committed to the safety and security of your students and family members on campus. University officials will work diligently with emergency responders and the community to immediately respond to any emergency or disaster.
4. Volunteer...if it is needed. If a major disaster, such as flooding or a winter storm, affects the Univeristy, you may be able to volunteer at a shelter or reception center. During these types of events, the University and the local community will specially request volunteers.

Thank you for taking an active role in your student's and App State's safety and security. Please browse this entire site to learn more about App State's emergency plans. You are always welcome to contact us with questions, comments and ideas.