ODU to Test Siren System as Part of March 15 Tornado Drill

Old Dominion University's Police Department will activate its outdoor siren system at approximately 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, as part of a tornado drill conducted in conjunction with the commonwealth of Virginia's Tornado Preparedness Day.

When the drill begins, the siren system will emit several high-pitched tones, followed by a verbal message that the alarm is signaling a test of the system. It is expected that the alarm will be heard in parts of the Lambert's Point, Highland Park and Larchmont neighborhoods.

In conjunction with the drill, the university will conduct a test of ODU Alerts, Old Dominion's urgent notification system, which will include sending text messages, phone calls, e-mails and instant messages to those registered in the system. To sign up for the ODU Alerts system, visit www.odu.edu/alerts and sign in using your Midas ID and password.

The tornado preparedness drill will affect the staff and other occupants in the following buildings only:

• Human Resources I, II and III

• Office of the University Auditor

• Child Development Center

• Recreation and Wellness Center

• Powhatan Sport Complex

• Jarrett Athletic Administration Building

• Parking and Transportation Services

• Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center

• Academic Skills Center/Upward Bound

• Scotland House

Building-emergency coordinators at each location will initiate emergency tornado preparedness procedures upon notification from ODU Police officials.

During the drill, as well as in a real tornado emergency, employees and visitors should seek shelter in a windowless interior room (closet, bathroom, interior hall) on the lowest level of a building (a basement, for those buildings that have one). All members of the campus community are encouraged to review tornado preparedness plans at www.vaemergency.com.

For more information call the ODU Police Department at 683-4003.