VCU to test upgraded siren system on Dec. 5

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Red and yellow graphic reading, "alert! SIREN TEST"
VCU will test its upgraded siren system Dec. 5 at noon.

Virginia Commonwealth University will be activating its upgraded siren system on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at noon as part of its monthly siren testing. This includes sirens installed on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses and a new siren at VCU Police headquarters, located at 224 E. Broad St.

The addition of a siren at police headquarters means VCU students, faculty and staff in facilities downtown, along with residents and businesses, will hear the signal more clearly than when the sirens were only located on VCU’s campuses. Wednesday’s test involves a one-minute siren activation using a steady tone. In an actual life-threatening emergency, the sirens warn people external to VCU facilities that there is an immediate risk to the area. The sirens are activated in conjunction with VCU’s other alerting technologies, including text messages, which provide additional directions to the community. In a real emergency, updates are posted on alert.vcu.edu.

VCU students, faculty and staff can manage their VCU Alert texting and email preferences in the myVCU portal under the “Manage Emergency Alerts” tab. Community members can sign up for VCU Alerts to receive text messages and/or emails at: https://alert.vcu.edu/signup/index.php.