Outdoor Warning Siren Tests

On the first Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM Central, the LaPorte County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) conducts a test of the county’s outdoor warning siren system.

Test Sequence

The test consists of two parts:

1. Attention Warning Signal — approximately 3 minutes of steady tone
2. Attack Warning Signal — approximately 3 minutes of wavering tone
   • Wavering: characterized by a rising and falling pitch similar to a siren ramping up and down.

Radio Net

Amateur radio stations wishing to assist EMA by reporting which sirens are operational are encouraged to participate in the net conducted by Dave, W9DLP.

• Frequency: W9LY Repeater – 146.970 MHz (negative offset, 131.8 Hz PL)
• Check-ins: Begin at 10:45 AM Central
• Procedure:
  • The Net Control Station (NCS) will announce when siren activation begins.
  • During check-in, each station will identify the siren location being monitored.
  • Whenever possible, stations should be within visual range of the siren they are reporting on.
  • Stations should wait for NCS to request reports before transmitting.
  • When called, each station should report:
    • Whether the siren sounded normally
    • Whether the siren rotated, if it is a rotating type
    • Note if one part of the test sequence did not occur

Emergency Preparedness Warning Signals.

Per ‘FEMA Manual 1550.2 March 30, 2001’:

1. Attention or Alert Warning Signal. A 3 to 5 minute steady signal from sirens, horns, or other devices. Local government officials may authorize use of this signal to alert the public of peacetime emergencies. Besides any other meaning or requirement for action as determined by local government officials, the Attention or Alert signal will indicate to all persons in the United States, “Turn on your radio or television and listen for essential emergency information”.

2. Attack Warning Signal. A 3 to 5 minute wavering tone on sirens or a series of short blasts on horns or other devices. The Attack Warning signal means detection of an actual attack or accidental missile launch. Take protective action immediately. The Attack Warning will be repeated as often as deemed necessary by local government authorities to obtain the required response by the population, including taking protective action related to the arrival of fallout. This signal will have no other meaning and will be used for no other purpose.

Sirens and simliar devices shall never be used to signal ‘all clear’.