Siren testing on campus: Feb. 5, 2026

McMaster’s Campus Safety Services will conduct annual testing of the campus Siren Alert and emergency notification systems on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. 

February 3, 2026

A red emergency alert pole on campus between Edwards Arch and the Campus Store

McMaster’s Campus Safety Services will conduct annual testing of the campus Siren Alert and emergency notification systems on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. 

Around 10:20 a.m., members of the campus community who have the McMaster Safety App installed on their smartphone will receive notice of testing. Similar alerts will also appear on digital screens across campus and on laptops with the Alertus app installed.

Shortly afterward, both outdoor and indoor sirens will be tested. The test will include a recorded “THIS IS A TEST” message, followed by a full volume siren wail. 

Indoor sirens will sound in the following buildings:

  • McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) 
  • Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL)
  • David Braley Athletic Centre (DBAC)
  • Ivor Wynne Centre and David Braley Athletic Centre (IWC)

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to download the McMaster SafetyApp for safety alerts, such as campus closures and emergency instructions. The app is available for free download on the Apple and Android app store.

The area between the buildings MDCL, MUMC, LR Wilson and LSB on a winter day.

Feb. 10 – 13: Emergency vehicles on campus for training

Starting today, fire department and HazMat vehicles will be on campus every evening this week for routinely scheduled training.
Exterior of the side of the Engineering Technology Building on a summer day

ETB cleared to partially reopen after flooding 

Floors 1 through 5 of the Engineering Technology Building will reopen on Thursday, Feb. 5 following a safety assessment. 
Exterior of the Engineering Technology Building at McMaster, seen during the summer.

ETB to remain closed Feb. 4 for flooding cleanup

The Engineering Technology Building is closed Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 because of flooding on the basement and first floor.