******REVISED MESSAGE FROM PIERCE COUNTY*****:
The Lahar Siren will sound as per normal, with the bells and audible message. You will not hear the siren wail as was described below.
It was my relayed to me that regional stakeholders asked for this change to October’s test. That is evidently not the case. There will be no change. Please relay this to anyone with whom you shared the original message – along with my sincere apologies for the confusion.
******Important notice regarding Monday's siren testing******
Outdoor Warning System on Monday, October 4. Pierce County Department of Emergency Management will activate the “wail” sound, accompanied by a voice message. This change is to coincide with emergency preparedness month and raise awareness about our communities’ lahar hazard. The test will sound familiar for some people in your communities, but it may also cause some concern. Please communicate this temporary change broadly.
The audible test will be comprised of the following message in English:
This is a test of the lahar siren system. For a real lahar, you should follow lahar evacuation routes, move to higher ground immediately, and then tune to local media sources for further instruction. This was only a test.
And Spanish:
Esta es una prueba del sistema de sirenas lahar. Para un verdadero lahar, debe seguir las rutas de evacuación del lahar, moverse a un terreno más alto inmediatamente y luego sintonizar las fuentes de medios locales para obtener más instrucciones. Esto fue solo una prueba.
The message will be followed by three cycles (rise and fall) of the traditional siren wail, and then close with the messages. This whole series will play twice:
• Voice message
• Wail x 3
• Voice message
• Wail x 3
• Voice message
DEM will still send out PC WARN and PC ALERT notifications announcing the alternate voice message and tones. Social media will also highlight the change in the monthly test. Additionally, the Emergency Management call center will open to answer questions from the community. Please note the County will not activate the siren system on October 21 as part of the statewide GreatShakeOut campaign. The County is supporting that campaign using social media and other communication avenues. The November test will return to the chimes and messages format.
