SDSU Ready Day

Spring 2026 SDSU Ready Day will take place Feb. 16–19, 2026, with an emergency notification systems test on Feb. 19 at approximately 10 a.m.

What is SDSU Ready Day?

SDSU Ready Day is an all-campus effort held once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester to raise awareness of the university’s safety resources and to test the emergency communication system. While SDSU has routinely tested emergency notifications and promoted safety resources for many years, these efforts were branded together as SDSU Ready Day for the first time in fall 2025.

The goals of SDSU Ready Day are to ensure the emergency communication system is functional, that all students, faculty and staff have awareness of and access to emergency messaging,  and to reaffirm with the campus community ways SDSU shares urgent and emergency-related information. In the event of a campus emergency, SDSU may send messages via email, text and phone, the SDSU Safe app (users must download and turn on phone and app notifications and keep the app active), campus digital displays, classroom monitors, social media and official SDSU websites (including Urgent.sdsu.edu). The redundancy of these communications is deliberate to ensure that accurate, timely information is shared as broadly as possible.

Resources

Gregory Murphy, SDSU Chief of Police

Note from Chief Murphy

At San Diego State University, safety and preparedness are at the heart of our community. Emergency readiness is a shared responsibility, and each of us plays a role in making sure our campus is prepared to respond effectively when it matters most. SDSU Ready Day is an important opportunity for our community to learn, practice, and engage with the tools and resources designed to keep us safe. These activities allow us to test our systems, ensure they function as intended, and give our students, faculty, and staff the chance to practice how they would receive and respond to critical alerts. By taking part in SDSU Ready Day, you are helping to strengthen the resilience of our entire community. Together, we can make sure that when emergencies happen, we are ready to face them—confidently and prepared.
Gregory Murphy, SDSU Chief of Police
Safety Video

Real-Time Alerts

In the case of an urgent situation or active emergency in which the university has begun sending emergency notifications, the university’s communications team or University Police Department will publish frequent, real-time alerts to SDSU's Urgent site homepage. These alerts will include a date and time stamp of when the alert was issued. These are the same alerts with the most updated, confirmed information members of our campus community will receive during an urgent situation or active emergency, presented in a real-time log. See an example alert for reference.

Real-Time Notifications

SDSU’s notification system sends email and text messages when the university’s communications team or the University Police Department sends information related to a campus emergency or other health or safety concern.

Students
Notifications are sent to your @sdsu.edu email address. To receive text notifications, follow these instructions to add/update your cell phone number.

Faculty and Staff
Notifications are sent to your @sdsu.edu email address. To receive text notifications, update your cell phone number following the Faculty and Staff instructions.

Auxiliary Employees
For Auxiliary employees (SDSU Research Foundation, Aztec Shops and Associated Students employees), update your contact information for emergency alerts using the SDSU Alert instructions for auxiliary employees.

Parents, Relatives and Community Members
Register using the online portal.

SDSU Safe App

The free SDSU Safe app (for Apple and Android) is available for all members of the SDSU Community. The app provides instant push notifications when SDSU opts to send information via the app. The app also offers instant access to a range of university safety resources and reporting tools.

Training and Preparedness Programs

Active Shooter Safety Initiative

The goal of the University Police Department (UPD) is to help ensure that SDSU community members are best informed and prepared when reacting to a range of emergencies, including active shooter incidents. All campus community members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the following resources.

Active Shooter Safety Initiative Resources

SDSU Safe Ride

On-Demand Safe Ride Requests - Weekdays from 7 p.m. to Midnight.
 
During weekdays, from 7 p.m. to midnight, riders can request an on-demand ride to and from designated locations using the SDSU Safe App. The program does not operate during university holidays.


Designated Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations

Emergency Contact Directory

During emergencies, dial 9-1-1 or use any emergency blue light duress phone located throughout campus. If you are unable to call, text to 9-1-1 is available within San Diego County. Individuals should text if they are:

  • Deaf or hard of hearing, non-verbal or have difficulty speaking;
  • Experiencing a situation where it is unsafe to call 9-1-1 for help;
  • Or in a medical emergency and cannot speak on the phone.

To report a non-emergency, dial 619-594-1991 and select option '1' from the menu to speak with a police dispatcher. If you are unable to call the non-emergency line, you may email [email protected].

Campus Contacts

Safety Scenario Guides

  • Call 9-1-1 and describe the nature of your medical problem and campus location. 
  • If you have been trained, quickly: 
    • Control serious bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. 
    • Begin CPR if the victim is not breathing. 
    • If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, turn it on and follow the instructions. 

  • During a fire, 
    • Activate the fire alarm using a manual pull station. 
    • Evacuate the building using the nearest exit or stairwell. 
    • Avoid elevators. 
    • Call 9-1-1. (Do not re-enter the building until instructed by law enforcement and emergency officials.)
  • Fire Extinguisher Instructions 
    • P - Pull the pin on the extinguisher 
    • A - Aim the hose or nozzle at the base of the fire 
    • S - Squeeze the handle 
    • S - Sweep the extinguishing agent back and forth at the base of the fire 

  • RUN/AVOID. HIDE. FIGHT. 
  • Exit the building if possible.
  • Call 9-1-1 once it is safe to do so.
  • If you cannot run, go to an enclosed room, turn off the lights, lock the doors, and barricade all entry points.
  • If running and hiding are not an option, then fight. Identify items you can use for self-defense and be as aggressive as possible. Work with others if you can. 

  • Indoors 
    • Immediately DROP, COVER, and HOLD under a sturdy desk or table. 
      Position yourself along an interior wall. Stay away from glass windows, shelves and heavy equipment that may topple over. 
    • Do not run outside unless your building is believed to be in immediate danger or risk of collapse.
  • Outdoors
    • Quickly move away from buildings, utility poles, and other hazardous structures. 
      Stay in an open area. 

  • If a chemical spill occurs within a campus building, immediately call 9-1-1. 
  • Notify University Police if you have been exposed to a chemical. 
  • If exposed, avoid contact with others. 
  • When evacuating, move to an area upwind and away from the odors. 

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

In an emergency situation, it's important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family. Make sure you are not caught off guard by having an emergency preparedness checklist:

Support Services

SDSU offers a range of services designed to support students and employees when they are experiencing a difficult situation, or during a campus emergency.

Campus Support Services

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