WATERVILLE — Colby College will conduct a preliminary test of its new emergency siren on Wednesday, between 10 a.m. and noon.

The test will include a loud tone or tones and a voice message that is expected to be audible within about two miles of Colby. It could sound multiple times.

Colby has added the the siren to expand its ability to alert students of imminent danger, such as violence, abductions, environmental hazards or other threats to public safety. School shootings around the country have prompted colleges and universities to reassess and bolster emergency-response plans.