Plymouth State received a new emergency siren over the summer. The siren, which is perched atop a telephone pole alongside High Street, will be activated as part of a campus wide drill at noon on Sept. 17.
The siren was purchased with funds allocated through the University System of New Hampshire. Both Keene State College and the University of New Hampshire have emergency sirens.
“The siren is one of many options including text message alerts that we have taken to make sure that students, faculty, staff and local residents receive notification in the event of a sudden emergency,” said Tammy Hill, Director of Physical Plant.
There are a limited number of instances where the siren would be activated, “Tornados, an act of violence on campus, weapons of mass destruction, or a dangerous spill or leak on or near campus are the emergency situations when the siren would sound,” said Chris Williams, Director of Public Relations.
When the siren is tested, all those within in the sound traveling area are instructed to react as if it is a real emergency. Those in the local area will be encouraged to take cover. Those outside would need to relocate to a nearby indoor location and those indoors will be instructed to stay inside.
Officials are not sure how far the siren will be heard in the area. “Its tough to call how far the siren will be heard,” University Police Colonel Creig Doyle said, “We have Mount Prospect and Mousilauke that may have an impact on how far the sound carries,” Doyle added.
The test on the seventeenth will be the first test of the year. There will be another test conducted in the winter, when most likely there will be snow on the ground and the leaves will be off the trees, which will inhibit the siren acoustics as well.
The towns of Plymouth and Holderness will have officers placed in strategic locations in the area. These officers will then report whether or not they heard the siren.
The University is using the test as a way to promote the emergency text messaging system. Currently, students who have signed up for the PSU text alerts receive notifications on emergencies on campus. Students with the text message alert systems will receive text message notifications on his or her phone when the tests begin, and they will also receive a message when the test is over.
There has been some concern over what non-students will do when the alarm is tested, after all, local residents have not signed up for the PSU alert. “We are or will be working with the Plymouth Board of selectmen, as well as other local groups to get the word out,” Hill said.
For those who do not have access to text messaging, PSU instituted the PSU alert line. Information regarding the tests and possible emergencies can also be attained through the Plymouth website.
After the test is conducted, students with the text message alert will receive a message, and a message will be posted on the Plymouth website. PSU students will receive messages on the my Plymouth portal on the days prior to the test regarding what they should do during the test.
Another siren will sound after the test is complete to signal the end of the test. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for the PSU alert to receive text messages or call the PSU alert line at (603) 535-3535 for information both on and off campus after the test or during any real emergency situation.