Emergency text message templates for employees
In an emergency, nobody reads past the first line. These templates say what to do in the first three words, and nothing that could be misread.
Texts don’t replace 911, alarms, or your emergency plan. Use them to reach people who aren’t on site, to give instructions after the immediate danger, and to send the all-clear.
Stay away
EMERGENCY: do NOT come to [location] today. Police are on site. Stay away until you hear from me.
DO NOT COME IN. Gas leak at [location]. Building is closed. Next update by [time].
Fire at [location] overnight. Everyone is safe. Closed until further notice. Don't come in.
On site
EVACUATE NOW. Meet at [the parking lot by the sign]. Do not go back in for belongings.
SHELTER IN PLACE. Stay inside, away from windows. Wait for an all-clear text from me.
Fire alarm testing today [10-11am]. If it sounds then, it's the test. At any other time, evacuate.
Check-ins
Checking in after the [storm]: reply SAFE if you're OK. Reply HELP NEEDED if you need anything.
Everyone on today's shift: reply OK so I know you got out. I'll call anyone I don't hear from.
All clear
ALL CLEAR at [location]. Safe to return. Shifts resume [at 2pm today].
Update: building is safe and we reopen [tomorrow] as scheduled. Thank you all for staying calm.
Rules for emergency texts
- The instruction goes first: EVACUATE, DO NOT COME IN, ALL CLEAR.
- Never speculate about causes, injuries, or blame. Stick to what people should do.
- Always send the all-clear, or people stay away for days.
- Avoid reserved words as reply keywords. STOP opts someone out of all future texts, and HELP triggers an automatic reply.
- In Airhorn, send these as urgent so quiet hours never delay them.
Reach everyone in minutes
Urgent broadcasts go out immediately, day or night, to every confirmed employee. No app required.
Free for 7 days and 60 messages — no credit card. Your trial starts when you send your first broadcast, not when you sign up.