How would local schools respond to a security threat?

(WICHITA, Kan.) — News of a possible gunman at the Virginia Tech campus brings back memories of the 2007 deadly shootings where 32 people were killed by a gunman, Cho Seung-Hui.

But this time Virginia Tech and other schools say they have security procedures in place to notify students and better address security concerns.

Students at Friends University in Wichita have a “Falcon Alert” system that sends text messages and e-mails to students and parents who sign up for the notification system.   

Giselle McMinimi, a spokesperson for Friends University, says the alert system is used for both school closing due to weather and safety emergencies.

McMinimi says they hold 3-4 campaigns each year to encourage students to sign up for Falcon Alert. The university has a "critical incidents plan" in place that would inform students where to go and give updates if a security threat happened on campus.

Wichita State University has a similar alert system that sends texts and e-mails out to people who have signed up for the program.

Message boards around campus would also update students on any security threats and give instructions about what to do in an emergency.

USD 259, Wichita’s public school system advises parents not to come to campus as they may be in "harm’s way" or  "may interfere with the emergency response actions.”

The school system says they would pass information along through Parentlink, news outlets, the district’s TV channel 20 and on their website, www.usd259.org.

In the event of an emergency, Wichita's public School system would also give parents a “Reunification Site” where parents could pick up their student.

Eyewitness News will have more information on this story on KWCH.com and Eyewitness News at 5 pm.