FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2012
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Two new voice sirens installed on campus

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women has taken another step to keep the campus community safe during emergency situations with the installation of two new voice sirens.

The new sirens, which will be active in about two weeks, can provide warnings during inclement weather or in a situation where danger is present. One siren is located between Taylor and Keirn Halls and the other is at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Serenade Drive next to Reneau Hall.

“During inclement weather, the sirens will sound just like the other four sirens we have here on campus,” according to Kennedy Meaders, MUW police chief. “The current siren system is only directional, meaning the siren will only turn to a certain point. Speakers on the new sirens are 360 degrees.”

Meaders added there are five speakers that are much louder than the speakers currently in place. The siren portion of the system will be controlled by Emergency Management during inclement weather, and the voice portion of the system will be controlled by the university.

"We are excited about having this new technology on campus especially with the upcoming tornado season. This is another step we have taken to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff."

The emergency warning system was paid for by a grant written by Meaders and James Denney, director of sponsored programs and grants writer. The cost for both sirens was approximately $48,000.

In addition to the new voice sirens, the university recently implemented W ALERT, a new emergency notification system to deliver emergency messages and other timely warning notifications to students, faculty, and staff via text or voice message.
This service is being provided throughConnect-ED® for Higher ED communication service from Blackboard Connect Inc.

To sign up for W ALERT, visit http://web2.muw.edu/index.php/en/w-alert-get-connected.html.