East Tennessee State University, as part of its continued emphasis on campus safety, recently installed an outdoor warning system to communicate quickly with the entire campus in case of an emergency.  This siren system consists of three large public address speakers placed strategically on the main Johnson City campus and at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine on the VA Campus.

ETSU’s outdoor siren system will sound for the first time on THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008, when testing is conducted from 9 a.m. to NOON.  This testing will include several voice messages and several tones, such as sirens or horns, that will be broadcast from the new loudspeakers on both campuses.  PLEASE REMEMBER:  THIS IS ONLY A TEST!

During the testing on March 27, people near the Johnson City campuses may hear the sirens.  This exercise is designed just to ensure that our sirens work properly.  DURING THE TEST, NO ACTION IS REQUIRED. 

ETSU wants the campus community and our surrounding neighbors to be aware of this new outdoor warning system and to know how it will work.  It can emit a tone, such as a siren, or a voice message that delivers certain specific instructions.* It is just one more way we can help ensure the safety and security of our campus.  ETSU will notify the campus community and surrounding neighbors of our future testing schedule.

Questions about the new campus warning system should be addressed to Dan O’Brien at 423-439-7743 or via obriendj@etsu.edu.

* In a real activation, ETSU’s sirens are set up to sound during immediate life-threatening situations such as an armed and dangerous person in the area, a major chemical spill or hazard, or a tornado. A siren warning will be accompanied by brief recorded public address announcements with instructions such as "Go inside" or "Take cover now," in the event of an approaching tornado, for example.  When the threat has passed, a second siren activation and announcement will signal "All clear. Resume normal activities."