Emergency Alert Procedures

The initial and primary source for all emergency information is the Office of Campus Police (221-7786 or 4848).

While Campus Police may not be the first to detect an emergency situation (tornado or other severe weather conditions), they do monitor several weather services for the most up-to-date weather information available. When severe weather conditions are observed or an alert has been given by the National Weather Service, the following procedures will be followed:

Tornado Warning

A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted. If you see or hear the tornado coming, do not wait for the warning siren-go to the lowest level of your building and protect yourself. Once Campus Police has been alerted to the tornado warning, they will activate the Campus Tornado Alert Siren for three continuous minutes. Campus officers and dispatchers will notify the Residence Hall Directors as quickly as possible of impending danger and direct them to evacuate residents to the lower area of the resident halls as quickly as possible. Open air buildings (Cross, Rawlins, Killebrew, Meacham, Two Rivers), should be evacuated to buildings that have enclosed hallways as quickly as possible. If time does not permit, residents should move to the bathroom area and take cover. Individuals should remain inside the protected areas and refrain from going outside to watch. Campus Police will announce an "all clear" as soon as conditions improve and the danger has passed. The "all clear" signal will be given over the Tornado Siren Voice System, police vehicle loud speaker, or in person by the campus officers.

Tornado Watch

A Tornado Watch means that weather conditions exist that could cause the creation of a tornado. In the event a tornado watch has been received, Campus Police will alert the Residence Hall Directors and Building Coordinators to be on alert and to await further instructions. Residents will not be alerted to take cover unless weather conditions warrant.

Severe Weather Storm Warning

A Severe Weather Storm Warning means that severe weather is imminent. During the day, an e-mail alert will be sent to all e-mail users, and building coordinators will be notified by phone of impending severe weather. During the evening hours, the Residence Hall Directors will be notified by radio of any threatening weather conditions. They will follow their written procedures.

Under some circumstances, the Tornado Alert Siren Voice System or campus police vehicle loud speaker also may be utilized to notify the campus community of impending weather storm warning. When the danger has passed or subsided, Campus Police will notify the campus that an "all clear" has been received. This "all clear" notice will be given in person, by vehicle loud speaker or by the campus Tornado Alert Siren Voice System.

Severe Weather Storm Watch

A Severe Weather Storm Watch means that severe weather may affect the local area. Campus Police will alert the campus by e-mail, fax or telephone, and will notify the Residence Hall Directors in the evening hours of the storm watch.

Campus Tornado Siren Test

Campus Police will test the campus tornado siren at 3 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. This test will be held in conjunction with Clarksville Fire Department tests. A voice announcement will precede the test and an "all clear" voice message will follow the test.

Cancellation of Campus Activities

Campus Police will consult with the Vice President for Finance and Administration if weather conditions appear to warrant cancellation of normal University activities. Following the normal procedures in Section D of APSU Policy 4:006, a decision will be made to terminate, cancel or postpone activities or classes.

If a tornado is imminent and there is no time for consultation, Campus Police shall have authorization to make the decision to terminate/cancel or postpone University activities.