In connection with the Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, Virginia Tech will conduct a test of the Campus Outdoor Siren Warning System at 9:20 a.m.

The system will sound like an ultra-loud, deeper-sounding police or rescue-squad siren, followed by an audible announcement. During this test, the audible message will be, “This is a test of the Virginia Tech Campus Warning Siren System.” The siren tone and audible message will last less than a minute. It can be heard across campus as well as in sections of the Town of Blacksburg adjacent to the university. The siren tones are not intended to penetrate into building interiors.

In a real emergency, if you hear campus sirens, remember to "Shelter, Shut, and Seek." Look for shelter in a building, shut yourself in a safe place, and most importantly, seek other information about the reason for the siren blasts.

Additional information can be found in a variety of ways:

  • Information posted to the university homepage and Virginia Tech News page.
  • Information sent using campus-wide e-mail.
  • Information sent using VT Alerts.
  • Information broadcast on WVTF-FM 89.1 and other public media outlets.
  • Information record on the university hotline (231-6668).


Questions and comments should be directed via e-mail to John Beach, director of physical plant operations and interim director of emergency management.

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