How the Emergency Warning System Works

EWS

The Emergency Warning Sirens are only intended to be activated in a true emergency where evacuation is required, such as a wildfire, flood, extreme weather event, or other life-threatening emergency. Any activation of the EWS should include both siren tone and voice command with further instructions. 

A 1-minute-long siren tone will indicate residents should evacuate immediately. The siren tone should then be followed by a Voice Command telling residents to evacuate immediately and any appropriate additional information, such as the direction of evacuation.

The protocol will be as follows:

Siren Tone for a 1-minute duration
Voice Command: “An Immediate Evacuation Order has been issued for ________. “
Additional instructions for the evacuation directions or where to find further information can be included here.
Siren Tone for a 1-minute duration

This 3-step siren-message-siren interval will be repeated in the following manner:

  • 10-minute loop of siren-message-siren intervals
  • 5-minute break with no intervals
  • 5-minute loop of intervals
  • 5-minute break with no intervals
  • The 5-minute interval–break loop will continue until the emergency has subsided

How They Work Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH9m86gS4bE&t=16s

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