Public address speakers have been installed and are now operational in eight locations across the East Lansing campus, the Michigan State University Police Department announced today.
The speaker system, which can provide weather warning sirens and audible voice messages, is installed in strategic locations to provide information to the MSU community in the event of an emergency. West Shore Services installed the speakers so they provide full coverage of the main campus and some additional coverage in the south research areas in East Lansing.
On Aug. 1 at 1 p.m., in conjunction with the monthly siren test performed in Ingham County, MSU Police also will sound two audible messages to our community. Those messages will be done before the siren test and after the siren test to provide MSU students, faculty, staff and visitors information about the siren they just heard. MSU will continue to test the speakers in conjunction with the siren test on a monthly basis.
Events that may trigger an audible message include: active violence involving a weapon, persons seen on campus with a gun, hazardous situations, information about evacuating or seeking shelter and similar incidents. The speaker system is launched from trained personnel who work in the Emergency Management Unit within the MSU Police Department. Any questions about this system can be sent to the MSU Police Department at 517-355-2221.
The speakers are another way MSU police have to alert and notify the community of disasters or emergencies and provide them with valuable information on actions to take. The system, can be used in conjunction with the Blackboard ConnectED alert and notification platform that can send phone, text and email messages.