Alert Carolina sirens test to be held Sept. 12
No action is required as the University conducts a fall test of its Emergency Notification System.
Update, 3:45 p.m., Sept. 12
Today at 12:12 p.m. the sirens were activated as part of UNC-Chapel Hill’s fall Alert Carolina test. They were activated as a test a second time at 2:43 p.m. in error while staff were troubleshooting the system. We appreciate your patience as we work to rectify the issue.
Update, 12:15 p.m., Sept. 12
The University has started an Alert Carolina emergency sirens TEST. This is only a test. No action is required.
The University tests the sirens to remind everyone what to do if they hear the sirens sound for a real emergency and to make sure the equipment works properly.
During the test, anyone outside on or near campus likely will hear the sirens. The sirens are not designed to be heard inside a building or vehicle. The sirens will sound an alert tone along with a brief prerecorded voice message.
The sirens sound only for a major emergency or an immediate safety or health threat, such as:
- An armed and dangerous person on or near campus
- A major fire or hazardous material incident outdoors
- A tornado warning for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area issued by the National Weather Service
- A different emergency, as determined by Campus Safety
In the event of a real emergency, University police advises all students, faculty, and staff to:
- Go inside immediately
- Close windows and doors
- Stay until further notice
- Follow directions from emergency responders or University officials
The University also sends a text message to cell phone users who registered their numbers in the online Alert Carolina Contact Information page available through the Onyen services website. The University will post safety-related announcements on the Alert Carolina website, alertcarolina.unc.edu, along with updates.
During an emergency, the Alert Carolina sirens will sound an “All Clear” message when the threat has passed.
Download the Carolina Ready Safety App! The Carolina Ready Safety App is designed to make your experience on campus as safe as possible. The Carolina Ready Safety App empowers you with the tools you need to be prepared, mitigate dangers, and respond appropriately to situations that occur.
The app includes emergency alerts, tools for staying safe on campus, emergency response guides, campus maps, and a variety of health and wellness resources.
Download the free Carolina Ready Safety App in your phone’s app store by searching for “Carolina Ready Safety App.”
Original post
The University will TEST the Alert Carolina Emergency Notification System on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. We test Alert Carolina regularly throughout the year to make sure the equipment and notification processes work as planned. During this sirens test, NO ACTION is required.
During the test, anyone outside on or near campus will likely hear the Outdoor Emergency Sirens. These sirens are not designed to be heard inside a building or vehicle. The sirens will sound an alert tone along with a brief prerecorded voice message.
The University will also send a text message to cell phone users who registered their numbers in the online Alert Carolina contact information page available through the Onyen services website. The University will post safety-related announcements on the Alert Carolina website, alertcarolina.unc.edu, along with updates.
