From Richmond.com:
A changing of the guard appears to be afoot on Broad Street, and with it may come a new era of VCU basketball under a leader with history in the commonwealth.
The full test will include a one-minute siren activation, along with text messages, Alertus boxes, mass email, digital signs, desktop alerts, LiveSafe, VCU Mobile, social media and VCU Alert website information — all part of a multichannel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, faculty, staff, visitors and the surrounding community.
Virginia Commonwealth University will conduct a full test of its emergency communications and alerting systems, including sirens, on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses and at the VCU Police Department’s headquarters, 224 E. Broad St., at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The full test will include a one-minute siren activation, along with text messages, Alertus boxes, mass email, digital signs, desktop alerts, LiveSafe, VCU Mobile, social media and VCU Alert website information — all part of a multichannel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, faculty, staff, visitors and the surrounding community. (Watch the VCU Alert system video to learn more about how and when police will issue alerts.)
Ten minutes prior to the start of the test, VCU Alert subscribers will receive a message indicating that testing will begin at noon; they also will receive a text message at noon to signify the start of the test. VCU Police will send out a third message to notify subscribers once testing has concluded.
VCU remains committed to supporting a variety of emergency alert technologies to distribute information in a timely and effective manner. These technologies help inform the VCU community of necessary and prudent protective actions in a comprehensive manner.
The following list contains more information about each of VCU’s alerting technologies:
Outdoor sirens: In a real emergency, the sirens on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, and at VCU Police headquarters, would signal that an immediate, life-threatening emergency has occurred or may be imminent. The purpose of the siren is to alert people outside campus buildings to immediately seek secure shelter and to receive additional information.
Text messages: These messages would contain short, protective action statements to inform subscribers of an active threat to public safety. VCU students, faculty and staff can subscribe to VCU Alert text messaging through the myVCU portal by clicking on “Manage Emergency Alerts” or on VCU’s Alert page. VCU Health team members, parents and community members can sign up on VCU’s Alert page to receive information about campus emergencies and closures.
Alertus boxes: These devices are in classrooms, residence halls and other high-traffic areas throughout campus. They are designed to provide an auditory and visual alert when a threat has occurred or is imminent. Much like text messages, a protective action statement would scroll on the screen during a threatening event.
Mass email: All VCU email account holders would receive an email containing the safety recommendations related to the emergency.
Social media: Alerting information would be posted to VCU’s Twitter account (@VCU) and the VCU Facebook page.
Digital signage: Digital displays are located throughout campus with a particular focus in high-traffic areas. These signs would display the emergency alert and reference information that is posted to Alertus boxes and text messaging.
Desktop alerts: The majority of VCU-supported computers (and many “Mac” products) provide full-screen notifications on workstations in offices, laboratories, classrooms and study spaces. These messages would contain protective action statements related to the emergency.
LiveSafe & VCU Mobile notifications: All VCU LiveSafe and VCU Mobile users would receive a “push” message through the VCU LiveSafe application that would also contain protective action statements related to the emergency.
The work is scheduled to start April 3rd and wrap up May 26th.
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (https://twitter.com/DPUStreetNews)
WHAT: Drainage Project including installing new stormline
WHEN: Beginning Monday, April 3, 2023 through May 26, 2023
WHERE: E. Broad Street at N. 10th Street in the Biotech/MCV District of Downtown, between E. Broad and E. Marshall streets.
PROJECT SCOPE:
Sidewalk will be closed on N. 10th between E. Broad to E. Marshall
Note: Work is anticipated to take place during the dates and times above. Impacts will occur during work times, except where noted.
A changing of the guard is underway for the VCU Men’s Basketball program, according to multiple verified reports.
From Richmond.com:
A changing of the guard appears to be afoot on Broad Street, and with it may come a new era of VCU basketball under a leader with history in the commonwealth.
Amid widespread reports that Pennsylvania native Mike Rhoades is set to accept an offer in excess of $3 million annually from Penn State, Utah State coach and former Hampden-Sydney captain and Virginia Tech assistant Ryan Odom has emerged as his likely replacement.
College basketball fans around the state may remember Odom well.
The former University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) coach led the Retrievers to their historic, 74-54 upset win over Virginia in the first round of the 2018 NCAA tournament. UMBC became the first No. 16 seed to ever take town a No. 1 seed.
When combined with the adjacent outpatient Children’s Pavilion, the Children’s Tower completes a city block – nearly 1 million square feet – dedicated to caring for kids
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) on Tuesday celebrated the ribbon-cutting for its Children’s Tower, Richmond’s new home for pediatric inpatient, emergency and trauma care. Nearly 300 families, elected officials, hospital team members, donors and community partners gathered to celebrate the completely kid-focused, $420 million facility which will officially open on April 30.
The Children’s Tower was designed for and with the help of families and providers in the community, based on extensive research into best practices in pediatric health care. When combined with the adjacent outpatient Children’s Pavilion, the Children’s Tower completes a city block – nearly 1 million square feet – dedicated to caring for kids. The 16-story building houses the region’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma center and emergency department with 24/7 access to any pediatric specialist a child may need, along with family amenities and 72 all-private acute and intensive care rooms that are among the most spacious in the country.
“This is a great day for Virginia and our capital city of Richmond. Not only do we have the best and brightest medical providers – many of whom have graduated from our outstanding Virginia medical schools – but patients can get care from them in state-of-the-art facilities while remaining close to home,” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said. “This Children’s Tower will help ensure that our youngest Virginians can grow into our future leaders, care providers and difference makers.”
CHoR broke ground on the Children’s Tower in June 2019 as part of a comprehensive plan to address the needs of the community and state.
“I had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking for the Children’s Tower and what a difference a few years has made,” Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said. “As I watched this building rise from City Hall next door, I thought about the kids and families from our city and beyond who will benefit from the beautiful space and dedicated teams inside. Children are our future, and the future of Richmond is bright.”
The Children’s Tower project was completed on time, despite obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The VCU Children’s Tower represents a commitment to our children and communities that we’re putting their needs first,” said VCU and VCU Health System President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “After many years of our team’s focus on addressing the needs of children in a comprehensive way, I’m so grateful that we’re able to bring together comprehensive children’s health services and research into the early, formative aspects of human development, including the causes and cures of disease and development. CHoR will serve children and families in Richmond and across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, and I’m grateful to every team member and donor who helped make this a reality.”
Providers at CHoR care for both the most common and complex injuries and illnesses, last year serving more than 70,000 families from across the commonwealth, nearly all 50 states and outside the U.S. The Children’s Tower is expanding inpatient bed capacity and emergency room access by 40 percent on opening day. Access to imaging and services from the Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center will also increase. The building includes space for growth to meet future needs.
In addition to pediatric-specific operating rooms, imaging suites and trauma bays equipped with the latest advancements for optimal medical care, the Children’s Tower creates a kid-friendly patient experience with added convenience. It is located one turn off Interstate-95 and offers free onsite parking, including valet for families visiting the emergency room.
Playrooms, teen lounges, a family gym, interactive installations, performance space and family lounges are among the amenities that will be available on opening day to make the environment more comfortable for kids and families. The cafeteria offers kid-friendly dining options, including brick oven pizza, while the James River theme includes colors and animal mascots to differentiate each floor and help with navigating the building. Additional amenities will open later this summer, including a RMHC In-Hospital-House, multifaith chapel and indoor children’s garden.
Take a virtual tour of the Children’s Tower and meet the James River themed animal mascots at chrichmond.org/childrenstower.