The University of Missouri-Rolla will test a new air whistle alarm system at 10 a.m. Friday, July 6. The test will last approximately two minutes.

The whistle is temporarily located on top of the UMR Power Plant. Friday’s test will allow campus officials to be sure the system works and to determine how well it can be heard across campus. The two-minute duration will allow power plant staff to monitor the air volume required to power the whistle.

The UMR Police will track how well the whistle is heard across campus, including the Residential College, Thomas Jefferson Residence Hall, Castleman Hall and the Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building. Officers will be stationed at various locations across campus to be sure the whistle can be heard.

All department chairs as asked to designate someone to monitor their areas during the test to ensure the siren can be heard throughout their buildings. Department representatives should report their findings to UMR Police by email at police@mst.edu.

The system is being installed as part of an on-going plan to improve campus security. The alarm will be used as a campuswide alert system. It will be activated only in the case of a critical incident that requires immediate notification of the campus.

When fall semester classes begin in August, campus officials plan to test the system on a monthly basis. The test is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month.

For more information please contact UMR Police at 573-341-4300 or email police@mst.edu.