Warning Sirens

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You've probably heard the campus warning sirens sound more often in the last two months than ever before. That's because Clemson now receives targeted weather information specific to our location rather than depending on regional reports from the National Weather Service. Clemson has contracted with SkyGuard, a customized weather management service, to provide this information.

The Clemson University Fire Department uses this information to determine when to activate campus sirens, a practice intended to help safeguard those moving about campus. This is especially important this time of year when lightning and thunderstorms are common, and campus is crowded with summer campers, orientation students and parents, alumni reunion guests and golfers -- in addition to faculty, staff and students -- enjoying outdoor activities.

The following explanation of "what to do when the sirens sound" is also available on the Faculty-Staff and Student Web pages: www.clemson.edu/faculty-staff www.clemson.edu/students

We encourage you to read it and become familiar with this and other safety information provided on the Clemson Web site.

Emergency Warning Sirens Two warning-siren systems are present on the campus of Clemson University. During an actual emergency you may not be able to distinguish between the two systems, so when you hear a siren other than an announced siren test, you should: -- stop what you are doing -- evaluate your surroundings and immediately seek information -- be prepared to take immediate action to protect yourself

Oconee Nuclear Warning Sirens - serving the 10-mile planning zone surrounding the Oconee Nuclear Station north of Seneca. These sirens, located at various locations on campus and throughout the Clemson/Seneca communities, are used to notify citizens of a variety of events that may occur at the plant. When activated: Do not attempt to immediately evacuate the area. Tune in to local media or other information sources for details before taking action.

Clemson University Outdoor Sirens - located at Memorial Stadium, Byrnes Hall and the band practice field on Perimeter Road. These sirens are intended to warn individuals outside campus buildings of impending severe weather and other emergencies. They may not be heard throughout campus and inside buildings. Your best protection is to be aware of possible severe weather in the area, monitor local conditions and be prepared to act to seek refuge. When activated: Seek shelter first and then information to determine the nature of the emergency.

Severe Weather Warnings Clemson University receives targeted weather information specific to our location from an outside contractor. SkyGuard, a customized weather management service, provides more detailed information than is currently available from the National Weather Service and delivers it simultaneously to key university officials via text messaging and fax. Clemson has established the following warnings criteria to help keep its faculty, staff and students safe. SkyGuard will notify the university in the event of: -- Tornadoes within five miles with a desired lead-time of 20 minutes advance notice. -- Null Tornado warnings (when the NWS issues a tornado warning for the county, but it is not expected to affect Clemson) -- Winds of 50 mph or greater (NWS criteria is 58 mph or higher) with desired lead-time of 20 minutes advance notice. -- Lightning Advisory when we are expecting lightning within 12 miles with 20 minutes advance notice. -- Lightning Warning when lightning has been detected within six miles of campus.

Clemson University public safety administrators may also elect to use the sirens to alert the campus of other hazardous situations. In any event, when campus sirens sound, you are advised to seek shelter and tune your radio or television to an emergency alerting station for instructions and more information.

Siren Tests Clemson University and the Oconee Nuclear Station conduct quarterly siren tests to ensure sirens are working properly. These tests, announced in advance, are scheduled for Wednesdays at: -- 11 a.m. for the campus sirens -- 11:50 a.m. for nuclear station sirens

Sirens will sound for approximately three minutes for each test. This testing is part of normal maintenance, and no public action is necessary. In the event of an actual emergency, you should tune your radio or television to an emergency alerting station for instructions and information.

Emergency Actions For other information relating to emergencies, including: -- building evacuation -- earthquake -- elevator malfunction/failure -- fire emergency -- hazardous materials spill/release -- medical emergency -- shelter-in-place -- suspicious package/bomb threat -- severe weather/tornado -- utility failure Go to the Clemson University Fire Department and EMS Web site at: http://stuaff.clemson.edu/cufd/emergency_actions

Source: Clemson University news release dated June 11, 2007.

Clemson University tone and voice sirens

Warning Sirens are located at Memorial Stadium, Byrnes Hall and the band practice field on Perimeter Road. These sirens are intended to warn people outside campus buildings of impending severe weather and other emergencies. They may not be heard throughout campus or inside buildings.

In an emergency the sirens will sound a tone and a brief voice message announcing the nature of the emergency.

Sirens may be sounded for a number of emergencies, including:

  • Lightning warnings
  • Other natural disasters
  • Gunman or other threat

Check with clemson.edu/cusafety for additional information.


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