Skip to main content.

Campus Early Alert System (Audible)

Lynchburg College has installed three outdoor warning siren/public address units on campus, and they became operational in January of 2008.

In the event of an emergency which urgently threatens the safety of persons outdoors, the College may sound the sirens. The siren tones are designed to be quite loud and distinct, and the sound will carry throughout the campus and should be easily heard by those outdoors on campus.

These siren/public address units are designed to be heard OUTDOORS ONLY. While some personnel on campus may be able to hear the sirens indoors, that was not the primary intention. The pre-recorded and live public address announcements that will follow the siren tones are prone to echoing among the buildings on campus and how well you will be able to understand the messages will depend on your location. All possible adjustments have been made to the system to improve the intelligibility of the voice messages, and we are aware that in some areas of campus the messages can be very difficult to understand.

There are seven (7) pre-programmed messages on this system.. They are:

  1. "This is a test of the Lynchburg College emergency warning system. This is only a test." This message begins with the Westminster Chimes. It will sound every second Wednesday of the month at approximately 10:00 am. (Testing is mandated by FEMA.)
  2. "The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning. Please take cover indoors." This message is preceded by the siren wail.
  3. "The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning. Please move to the interior areas of any building." This message is preceded by the siren wail.
  4. "Intruder Alert, Intruder Alert, remain where you are. Lock doors if possible and wait for the all clear." This message is preceded by the siren wail.
  5. "Fire on campus. Please stand by for further instructions." This message is preceded by the siren wail.
  6. "Emergency. Please stand by for further instructions." This message is preceded by the siren wail.
  7. "This is an all clear; please resume your normal activities." This message begins with the Westminster Chimes.

The following procedures are pasted in various locations around campus and throughout residence halls:

Safety in your classroom, residence hall, and office
If you hear the Crisis Alert Siren, protect yourself!

If the siren is due to severe weather or tornado warning:

  • If you are outside, seek cover in the closest building
  • Stay in your classroom, room, or office if it is in the interior of the building
    OR go to an interior hallway of the building
    OR go to the lowest level possible
    OR in a house or apartment, go to the center of the house or the bathroom
  • Stay away from windows, glass doors, and glass walls
  • Monitor the Web and your e-mail for updates and instructions
  • Call 911 immediately if you have any information about damage or injuries
  • Stay in your area until you receive the “all clear” message from the Crisis Alert Siren or a message from a college official or emergency worker.

If the siren is due to an intruder: (or if an intruder has been observed)

  • Go to the closest classroom, room, or office and stay there
  • Shut the door and lock it, if possible
    AND if possible, place a desk or chair in front of the door
    AND if possible, wedge a shoe or belt under the door to prevent it from opening
  • Turn off the lights
  • Keep yourself and others in the room as quiet as possible
    AND switch cell phones to vibrate AND mute all computers, projectors, CD players, and other machines
  • Stay away from windows, glass doors
  • Monitor the Web and your e-mail for updates and instructions
  • Call 911 immediately if you have any information about the intruder or injuries
  • Stay in your area until you receive the “all clear” message from the Crisis Alert Siren or a college official or emergency worker.

Please remember:

  • This system is not foolproof and each person has to use common sense and assist each other in the event of an emergency.
  • The siren and voice cannot penetrate everywhere under every condition. We still have to take care of one another as we always do. Simply passing along the message to a fellow student, staff, or faculty member can help out the situation immeasurably.
  • We will also use e-mail, voice mail, and other modes of communication to get information out to you as quickly as possible, usually within 15 minutes of the initial alert.