In the case of a major fire, flood, power outage, or inclement weather, a new alert system will send real-time notifications to all active Queen’s e-mails.
At a price tag of $17,000 a year, new emergency alert system, QUAlerts, will deliver real-time notifications to all active University e-mails during natural disasters, severe weather, high-risk situations, or major service disruptions on or around campus. Launched on Feb. 13, it sent its first test alert Thursday morning.
Powered by the the Alertable platform, the new system ensures critical notifications, like weather updates, reach students, faculty, and community swiftly. The test e-mail urges recipients to the free Alertable mobile app, which includes features like overriding silent mode even when your phone is muted, multiple languages for accessibility purposes, and an opt-in option for text messages.
In an interview with The Journal, Chris Scott, director of Campus Security and Emergency Services (CSES) highlighted the long-standing, multifaceted nature of current on-campus security programs. The familiar blue light emergency phones, installed in 1988, were introduced alongside the AMS’s Walkhome service that same year.
The Lone Worker Program also exists, designed to safeguard employees working alone through check-ins and emergency responses. Scott noted the role of CSES in sharing information via the SeQure mobile app, which first launched in 2012. However, there was a larger need to effectively engage with the community to ensure they’re getting the information they need, at the drop of a hat.
Scott pointed out the key difference between SeQure and QUAlerts: With the new system, you don’t need to opt in. As long as you have a Queen’s email, you’ll receive alerts—no matter the emergency.
“We’re pretty confident this is going to be a very robust system, and it’s very cost-effective system,” Scott said. “When you take that [$17,000] per student, per staff and faculty, you’re really looking at 20 cents, 15 cents, just to ensure each person that attends our campus is able to receive emergency notifications.”
“Alertable gives us a Canadian based system that’s been proven to be effective. It was effective in the wildfires out west recently. It’s tied into the Canadian emergency broadcasting network so that it gets real time weather alerts,” Scott said.
According to Scott, because CSES can manage the app in-house, they have the ability to push out to tens of thousands of e-mails, if needed, when needed.
While the app isn’t required to receive notifications, ing it unlocks some extra perks.
“If you the actual Alertable app on your phone, it will actually track where you are, and you can pick locations, or it can just follow you and let you know real time if there’s any major weather events that are going to affect you,” Scott said, also noting the app doesn’t collect any personal data.
“It’s a way for us to ensure people have access to the information that can assist them in managing their own safety,” he said.
With QUAlerts, everything is hosted in Canada, and only the essentials are shared—your basic Queen’s email, with no personal identifiers. Even if you opt in to receive text or voice notifications by sharing your phone number, it’s solely used for that purpose, with no personal data attached, Scott shared.
As a fifth-year student, Sarah Innes, ArtSci ’25, is no stranger to Queen’s campus. Having witnessed major storms and COVID-19 outbreaks, she sees QUAlerts as a welcome addition to campus safety measures.
“In my second year, there was a major storm and classes were cancelled. It was really difficult trying to find information on what was going on, whether or not buildings were open,” she said. “An alert system like this would’ve made things a lot easier.”
Innes, who lives off-campus, also appreciates that QUAlerts can help students stay informed beyond University grounds.
“I think a lot of us forget campus safety isn’t just about what happens in lecture halls or residences—it’s about knowing if the roads are dangerous, if the bus is down, or if there’s an emergency near where we live,” she said.
For students like Innes, knowing that alerts are sent automatically offers reassurance.
Scott encourages the Queen’s community to explore the new system. “You can’t really put a price on safety,” he said.
—With files from Allie Moustakis
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