Register for Text & Email Alerts
PVCC's emergency text and email messaging service are for students, faculty, and staff. Sign up here to receive alerts from Piedmont Virginia Community College about potential, developing or existing emergencies.
Prerequisites
- You must have your mobile phone/device present during signup. The registration process will require you to enter a 4-digit verification code that is sent to your phone.
- Also, the phone/device must be able to receive text messages and your service plan must support receiving them. If you are unsure, please check with your service provider.
- PVCC employees with phones on state contract must activate text messaging on their service plan.
Step 1
Select the "PVCC Alerts New User Signup" link below. This link will take you to the Omnilert page. Select "Sign Up" from the top right corner of the web page. You will choose a username and password for your PVCC Alerts account. You may use any username/password - your account is separate from other PVCC accounts.
Step 2
Your phone will receive a text message with a 4-digit number. Enter this number on the confirmation page. After completing this step, your registration will become active immediately.
Note: After you have enrolled in PVCC Alerts, you may log into your account to add another cell phone number or an email address to receive messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can get PVCC Alerts?
The PVCC Alerts service is designed for students, faculty and staff who will be affected directly by an emergency on the College grounds and/or the proximate areas.
Why should I get PVCC Alerts?
- Text messaging is more reliable in emergency situations when communication systems reach high capacity. Text messages will get through when phone calls won't.
- You will receive alerts anywhere, even when you do not have access to a computer.
Will my cell phone number be kept confidential if I sign up for PVCC Alerts?
Yes. PVCC Alerts service cell phone numbers are not shared or sold to any other systems or services.
How many PVCC Alerts text messages will I receive?
PVCC Alerts text messages will be sent only to alert you to emergency situations in which there is an imminent threat to public safety. The exact number is difficult to predict, but there should be very few. You will receive messages within seconds of their transmission. If your cell phone is turned off when a text message is sent, you will receive it after you turn your cell phone on, but only if you do so within seven days from the original transmission.
What do I need to get PVCC Alerts and how much does it cost?
All you need is a cell phone with text messaging capabilities. There is no charge to users for signing up. Individual cell phone plans will apply normal charges for the text message.
Note: All landlines, most Tracfones and some pay-as-you-go phones will not register on the PVCC Alerts system. This is a limitation of the phone providers.
What if I change my cell phone service provider?
When you change cell/mobile phone providers but keep your existing mobile number it is considered "ported." Depending on the mobile phone provider, it may take up to 30 days for the PVCC Alerts system to be updated. During the "ported" time period, you may not receive alerts because the alerts are sent to the old mobile provider, which may not forward them. You will find details on how to solve this problem and immediately register when you log on to get registration information.
How do I sign up for PVCC Alerts?
To register, you do need to have your cell phone handy. Complete the online form above. You will be asked to create your own user name and password. (Note that this has no relationship to your PVCC computing user name and password.) You will receive a text message that will include a 4-digit validation code. You must enter the validation code on the confirmation Web page and hit the "Validate" button. You will then automatically be forwarded to a "Thank You" page. The validate button also creates your own personal account where you should go next and enter your preferred email address. This is where you will log in to update personal contact information.
What if I am not able to register?
For registration assistance, email your mobile phone number and the name of your provider to support@omnilert.com. Indicate you want to register in the PVCC Alerts system.
What if I do not receive/enter the 4-digit validation code?
If you do not enter the 4-digit validation code, an account is created but you will not receive alerts. To receive alerts, you must log in and revalidate your phone. If you do not receive the code, please contact support (see previous question).
How can I opt-out of PVCC Alerts?
You can opt-out (discontinue) at any time just as quickly and easily as you signed up. Log in to your PVCC Alerts account for detailed instructions.
What will the PVCC Alerts tell me?
A short text message will state the type of threat and indicate suggested action. For instance, for the presence of a gunman on Grounds: "GUNMAN AT LARGE NEAR (LOCATION). SHELTER IN PLACE. DETAILS AT PVCC.EDU." Because the messages must be brief, you will always be directed to go to the College Web site (www.pvcc.edu) where details will be available.
An important reminder: the PVCC Web site is the primary and most complete resource for current emergency information. The PVCC Alerts text messaging service is just one of the methods the College will use to communicate emergency information. If appropriate, global emails, the telephone switchboard, flyers, local media and other communication tools will also be used.