UM to test steam plant whistle on Saturday

ORONO – University of Maine staff members plan to test UM’s long-dormant steam plant whistle at noon Saturday, April 28.

The whistle hasn’t been used for at least a decade, and Saturday’s test will determine whether it is still functional.

If it works, the whistle is likely to be audible throughout the UM campus and in many parts of Orono and Old Town.

As the university continues to review its procedures for emergencies, such as the recent massacre at Virginia Tech and a subsequent bomb threat at UM, the whistle may be used as a warning mechanism as it was in the past.

“There are no concrete plans like that yet,” UM spokesman Joe Carr said Monday. He said UM is reviewing its notification and communications process for emergency situations and already several ideas are being considered.