University of Pennsylvania Expands Emergency Notification System With Outdoor Siren System

WHO: Maureen Rush, University of Pennsylvania vice president for
public safety
Mary Ann Tierney, deputy managing director of the Philadelphia
Office of Emergency Management

WHEN: July 9, 2009
11 a.m.

WHERE: University of Pennsylvania
Division of Public Safety
4040 Chestnut St.

The Penn Siren Outdoor System will transmit emergency alert tones and voice messages to outdoor areas through 13 speakers being installed across Penn's campus.

Penn SOS will be tested using Westminster Chimes as the test tone from Aug. 18-20. When the system is fully implemented, tests will be conducted on the first Friday of each month at 11 a.m. beginning Oct. 2.

The current UPennAlert Emergency Notification System delivers emergency notifications via cell phones, PDAs and landlines. In the event of a large-scale emergency, both systems could be used to alert the Penn community and surrounding West Philadelphia neighborhood.

More information about Penn SOS and samples of the Westminster Chimes and Penn SOS alert tones are available at www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/upennalert