News & Events

UNC Asheville to Test Emergency Siren System on Thursday, March 11

March 8, 2010

UNC Asheville will conduct an intermittent, full-volume test of its new emergency siren system between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, March 11. The campus community as well as neighborhoods adjacent to campus may hear intermittent warning tones and spoken announcements. The test is to assess the volume, reach and clarity of the system.

The sirens, which are roof-mounted speakers activated by Campus Police, are part of a comprehensive emergency notification system being put into place at UNC Asheville, following recommendations made by the systemwide University of North Carolina Campus Safety Task Force. The task force was convened in response to the shootings at Virginia Tech. UNC Asheville implemented a system for text and voicemail alerts for students, faculty and staff in April 2009.

The audible warning system would only be used if there is an active threat to the safety of the campus, such as a tornado, explosion, nearby hazardous materials spill or an active shooter. The audible alerts can be heard in outdoor areas on campus and in neighborhoods immediately surrounding the campus.

The City of Asheville is assisting the university with Thursday's test by notifying adjacent residents and business owners through the city's emergency notification service CodeRED. The CodeRED system delivers customized pre-recorded telephone messages to targeted geographic areas. The city plans to send out messages about the test between 6 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, said Dawa Hitch, City of Asheville public information officer.