Safety First

October is Fire Safety Month

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National Fire Safety Month is October and was established in March after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.  Every year, fire safety education is presented by fire departments around the country.  Fire inspections are now being done on campus buildings and involve looking for fire safety issues.

Key Points

The university’s fire prevention specialist is asking everyone to help maintain a safe campus by addressing everyday “personal hazards” that can contribute to fires or make emergencies more dangerous.

  • Electrical safety: Extension cords are intended only for temporary use with portable devices. They should not be used continuously, run through doors or windows, or be attached to walls or ceilings, as they can become damaged and create fire hazards. Avoid overloading outlets with multi-plug adapters. When needed, use a surge protector and plug cords directly into an outlet.
  • Space heaters: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, furniture, rugs, and paper. They should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet because they use significant amounts of electricity.
  • Keep emergency equipment accessible: Do not block exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, or fire department connections. Obstructions can delay evacuation, prevent people from using fire extinguishers, and interfere with firefighters’ access during an emergency.
  • Keep fire doors closed: Fire doors are designed to slow or stop the spread of fire and smoke. Never prop them open or prevent them from closing. This is particularly important for stairwell doors, since smoke or fire entering a stairwell can prevent people from safely evacuating.

Bottom line

Small everyday actions can have serious consequences during a fire. Use electrical equipment properly, keep combustible materials away from heat sources, keep emergency equipment and exits clear, and never prop open fire doors. These simple steps help prevent fires and give people more time to safely evacuate if one occurs.

Plan Ahead: Temporary Campus Road Closures for Inspire the Roar 5K

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Missouri State University Campus Recreation will host the Inspire the Roar 5K on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as part of Family Weekend. The run/walk starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Foster Recreation Center and follows a scenic campus route.

To safely accommodate runners and walkers, some campus roads will be temporarily closed between approximately 7:45 and 9:00 a.m. Closures will be managed throughout the event. Each impacted roadway will reopen as soon as that portion of the course is clear, and not all roads will remain closed for the entire window.

Drivers traveling to or through campus Sunday morning should allow extra time and use alternate routes when necessary. Event staff will be stationed along the course to manage traffic and reopen roads as participants pass.

Parking Lots 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, and 54 will experience periodic delays with ingress and egress during the event. Drivers using these lots should plan additional time when entering or leaving.

We appreciate the campus community’s patience and cooperation as we provide a safe course for Inspire the Roar 5K participants. Thank you for helping make this Family Weekend event a safe and successful experience for the Missouri State community.

Event details:

  • Date/time: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
  • Start/finish: Foster Recreation Center
  • Expected road impacts: approximately 7:45–9:00 a.m.
  • Parking Lots 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 19, and 54: periodic delays entering and exiting
  • More information: www.missouristate.edu/Recreation/5k.htm

New Annual Emergency Preparedness Training for All Employees

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Missouri State University is introducing a new annual Emergency Preparedness Training for all university employees. Beginning this year, all employees are required to complete the training within 30 days of being assigned it.  The training will be opened on Monday, September 14th.

Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. Knowing what to do before an emergency occurs can make a significant difference in how quickly and effectively you respond. This training provides employees with practical information about university emergency procedures, how to report emergencies, how emergency notifications work, and the protective actions employees may need to take during an incident.

What Does the Training Cover?

The training is presented as a single video and covers several important areas of emergency preparedness, including:

  • University Emergency Plans – Learn how the University’s emergency plans work and how they guide the response to incidents ranging from routine emergencies to major events.
  • Reporting Emergencies – Understand when and how to contact 9-1-1, Campus Safety, and other resources.
  • Emergency Notifications – Learn about Missouri State Alert, outdoor warning sirens, fire alarms, and the Bear Shield safety app.
  • Protective Actions – Understand when to shelter indoors or evacuate and what to do when those actions are required.
  • Natural Hazards – Review basic responses to tornadoes, fires, hazardous materials incidents, and medical emergencies.
  • Human-Caused Threats – Learn how to respond to stalking and harassment, bomb threats, suspicious packages or objects, weapons on campus, and active shooter or hostile aggressor incidents.
  • Behavioral Intervention Team – Learn how to recognize and report concerning behavior and when a concern should be referred to the Behavioral Intervention Team, Campus Safety, or 9-1-1.

The training also highlights resources and training opportunities available through University Safety, including CPR/AED, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, Fire Extinguisher, and Run, Hide, Fight training.

Be Prepared Before an Emergency Happens

Emergency preparedness isn’t just about knowing what to do when an alarm sounds. It’s about knowing where to find information, understanding your options, and being prepared to act before an emergency occurs.

Employees are encouraged to take a few minutes to review the resources provided with the training, download and familiarize themselves with the Bear Shield safety app, and learn the shelter and evacuation locations for the buildings they regularly use.

Taking a few minutes now to prepare can help you respond more confidently—and help keep yourself and the Missouri State community safer—when an emergency occurs.

Campus Safety Move-In and Heat Advisory

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Please be advised: Due to Campus Safety personnel assisting families and students with move-in activities, response times for non-emergency calls may be longer than usual.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our team works to support a safe and successful move-in experience for everyone on campus.

For emergencies, please continue to use the Bear Shield app, or the appropriate emergency contact numbers for our Campus Safety Dispatch of 417-836-5509 or 911. For non-emergency matters, we appreciate your patience while Campus Safety responds as quickly as possible.

We also encourage everyone to take extra precautions during the next few days of excessive heat. Please:

  • Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas.
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to the heat, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and use sunscreen.
  • Check on friends, family members, and others who may be especially vulnerable to extreme heat.
  • Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and seek medical assistance if needed.

 Please take care of yourself and one another as we navigate these hot conditions together.

Missouri State Alert Fall Semester Test

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Test Alert

The Fall semester test is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at 10:50 a.m.

Missouri State Alert

A notification system that Missouri State University uses to keep our campus community safer and better informed during critical situations.

Enhanced communication

The system sends targeted messages to specific groups within our university community, delivering more relevant information for weather alerts, security threats, campus closures, and other critical incidents.

How it works

The system automatically determines communication methods based on university protocols—you cannot select your preferred method. You can update contact details in My Missouri State.

To officially update contact information

  1. Access the “Personal Information” card on your My Missouri State portal
  2. Legal name changes require you to take additional steps

Recognizing official alerts

Add these to your contacts to prevent alerts from going to spam.  All legitimate alerts come from these designated sources:

  1. Phone messages:
    1. Standard text alerts:
      • 58843
    2. Non-emergency:
      • 417-510-4744
    3. Emergency:
      • 866-318-1306
      • 855-692-1591
      • 844-866-4014
      • 833-330-2158
    4. Email:

Additional Information

As part of our ongoing commitment, download the free safety app, Bear Shield, that has additional safety features.

Participation of the mass notification system is mandatory—no opt-out options ensure every community member receives critical safety information when it matters most.

More frequently asked questions about Missouri State Alert can be found on the University Safety website.