UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS TO SOUND TEST ACTIVATION OF NEW TORNADO OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM AT THREE LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas has a new system to help warn the campus community in the event of an approaching tornado. A newly installed outdoor warning system will be sounded for the first time at 12:25 p.m., Friday, March 15, as a test activation.

"Having a system to warn our students, faculty and staff of an impending tornado is something we believe will be an added comfort and sense of security to our campus community," said Larry Slamons, director of the University of Arkansas Police Department.

The University purchased three sirens from Riddick Engineering Corporation of Little Rock, Ark. The cost for the Whelen High Powered Outdoor System and installation was approximately $110,000. The company also will maintain the system for the University.

The sirens are located to reach the main campus as well as the north and south extremities. The main campus siren is located atop the Arkansas Union. The south siren is located at Engineering South on Cato Springs Road. The north siren is located at the UA agricultural experiment station near the corner of Knapp and Hatch Streets.

The system will be tested weekly -- for a duration of two 30-second activations, with a 30-second interval, at 12:25 p.m. each Tuesday for four consecutive weeks to acclimate the campus and surrounding community to the sound of the siren. Thereafter, the system will be tested for one minute every other Tuesday at 12:25 p.m. Please note that the system test will be suspended on any day that thunderstorms or serious weather conditions are present. In addition to regularly scheduled audible tests, the system will also be subjected to a silent computerized test on a daily basis.

The sirens will sound at 126 decibels, a sound level that is expected to reach approximately 1.5 miles in each direction from the central location of each siren. It is important to emphasize that the sirens are an outdoor warning system. Penetration of the interior of buildings will depend on the location. For example, central interior rooms, basement levels, sound-proofed areas or buildings in which there is a reasonable amount of noise (such as music or machinery) will likely not be penetrable by the siren.

In the event of severe weather, the outdoor warning system will be activated after verified notification that Fayetteville is in the path of a possible tornado or is in an area where the probability of a tornado is extremely high. The siren will sound for three minutes in an actual weather emergency. The siren will be activated at 30-minute intervals until Fayetteville is no longer in danger. Sources of verification will be from various agencies with which the University is partnering, including: The National Weather Service out of Tulsa, Washington County Emergency Management, Central Emergency Medical Service, police and fire departments, meteorologist, designated Amateur Radio operators, weather spotters and the University of Arkansas Police Department.

It is important to convey the system will only be activated when there has been verification of a tornado touching down in the campus area, or there exists a high likelihood of tornado activity. The system is designed to warn campus students, faculty, staff and visitors. Also, the sirens will not be sounded for warnings that do not specifically effect the campus.

There are two levels of alert associated with tornadoes: 1) Tornado Watch, which means conditions are such that storms capable of producing a tornado may develop. 2) Tornado Warning which means that either a tornado has been sighted or that it is highly probable that one will develop.

If the sirens are activated during inclement weather, this the campus is in the path of a possible tornado, and students, faculty, staff and visitors should immediately go indoors and find a place of safety. In most instances, this means taking cover in the safest most interior space, away from windows, and preferably on the lowest possible level of the nearest building. The national weather service recommends drivers not remain in vehicles during a tornado warning, but quickly park as to not block traffic and find a permanent structure in which to take cover.

"We have worked with the appropriate response agencies to make sure we are prepared in the event of a tornado," Slamons said. "It is critical that our messages not be conflicting with other public reports or warnings, but we must emphasize that the outdoor warning system will only be activated when the campus is under high risk of a tornado or when an actual tornado has touched down in close proximity. Area networks may issue watches and warnings, but we are going to be very responsible about when we sound the sirens. We want the campus to know that if we sound the sirens then there is definitely cause to take cover," Slamons said.

One very important aspect of this system is that if a storm knocks out the electricity, the system is still operable. In addition to the siren, the system can also be used as a public address system in times of emergencies.

Media Advisory: When the testing of the siren occurs on Friday, March 15, at 12:25 p.m., an informal gathering of university and city officials and those directly involved with the operation of the system will take place near the steps of the Mullins Library on the west side facing the Arkansas Union. All media are welcome to attend in order to conduct interviews with those present or to get general campus reaction as the sirens are tested.