Tsunami Siren Warning Tests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2009
4:30 p.m.
Contact: Denise Rowlett, Deputy Director
Pacific County Emergency Management Agency
(360) 875-9338 or drowlett@co.pacific.wa.us
AHAB Siren System Monthly Test
South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency’s (PCEMA) All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) siren system was activated on Monday as part of the monthly testing schedule implemented earlier this year. All 11 sites in Pacific County activated sounding the Westminster Chimes twice. Some confusion occurred when no voice message followed. This was related to a training issue within PCEMA which has since been resolved.
The current procedure for the monthly test is for the sirens to sound the Westminster Chimes for 10 seconds followed by a 15 second verbal message stating “The following is a test of the siren warning system. It is only a test. This is a test of the siren warning system. If this had been a real emergency you should tune your radio to your local radio station or listen to this system for further instructions. This was only a test.”
It is recommended that residents of Pacific County mark their calendar with the monthly AHAB siren system test. The test is currently scheduled for the first Monday of every month at noon. Activation responsibilities rotate between the state and the county on an every other month basis. Sites are and continue to be “quiet-tested” daily.
In actual events, the AHAB sirens will sound the constant tone for three continuous minutes, and may be followed by a verbal message. Both the Westminster chimes and the actual warning tone can be heard by visiting the PCEMA website at www.co.pacific.wa.us/pcema.
There are currently ten AHAB sirens installed along the Long Beach Peninsula located in the areas of Ilwaco, Seaview, Long Beach, Surfside, and Ocean Park. There is also an AHAB siren located in Bay Center. Sirens are not designed to be heard indoors and the sound may also be impacted by adverse weather. Residents are encouraged to have alternate methods of warning such as NOAA weather radios, which are tested weekly and can be heard indoors.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact the PCEMA office at (360) 875-9340 or (360) 642-9340.
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