Outdoor Siren System

Emergency Management

The outdoor siren system is designed to alert the campus to an imminent threat of weather, environmental hazards outdoorsor an active emergency. Sirens are located on the roof of the Steen Library. While the sirens may be heard inside of some campus buildings, the system is designed to provide audible outdoor alert.

Outdoor siren system FAQs

When will the sirens be sounded?

Sirens will be sounded when there is an imminent threat to the campus. This may include:

  • severe weather such as a tornado on a direct path toward the campus
  • environmental hazard such as a chemical spill
  • or active emergency situation such as an active shooter on campus.

What do the alert tones sound like?

To listen to a sample of the outdoor sirens, select the recordings below:

What do I do when the weather alert tone sounds?

If you hear the weather alert tone:

  • Immediately seek shelter inside the nearest building.
  • Move to the interior of the building on the lowest floor away from exterior windows and doors.
  • Remain there until you receive an all-clear communication from campus officials.
  • Updates will be posted on the SFA website as soon as possible.

What do I do when the active danger alert tone sounds?

If you hear the active danger alert tone:

These situations are unique and develop quickly. It is impossible to determine a course of action appropriate for every potential incident.

  • Immediately heighten your awareness of your surroundings and use common sense.
  • If it is obvious that the situation is occurring outdoors, immediately seek shelter inside the nearest building.
  • If the location of the developing situation is obviously indoors and you can leave campus without endangering yourself, do so immediately.
  • When indoors, secure yourself behind a locked door, if possible, in the interior of the building away from exterior windows and doors.
  • Remain there until you receive an all-clear communication from campus officials.
  • Updates will be posted on the SFA website as soon as possible.

Monthly testing

The outdoor siren system will be tested at approximately 11:55 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. A notice of the test will be issued using Jack Alert emergency notifications and the Rave Guardian mobile app system to notify the campus of the pending test.

Monthly testing will include both the weather alert and active danger alert tones. These alert tones will be preceded by a spoken message announcing that a test of the system is about to occur.

Should threatening weather be near the campus at that time, campus safety officials may choose to cancel the test to avoid any possible confusion regarding weather conditions.

If you hear the monthly system test notice and test tones, pay attention to the tones so you can recognize them better in case of an actual emergency situation. No other action is necessary.