Melrose Park has a siren warning system at multiple locations throughout the community. The system consists of several sirens strategically located throughout the Village and is intended to provide outdoor warning of impending danger. You may only hear the sirens if you are outside. Please review the following information as it explains the function, operation and procedures associated with the Village of Melrose Park Outdoor Warning Siren System.
The system is designed to notify the community by ALERT WARNING and ATTACK WARNING signals. the signals are standardized for outdoor warning devices by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
An ALERT WARNING signal is a 3 to 5 minute steady siren. This signal is used during a severe weather emergency or funnel cloud sighting. The reporting area includes a ten-mile perimeter around the Village. The ALERT WARNING signal shall indicate to all persons to "immediately seek shelter, turn on your radio or television and listen for essential emergency information." Please note, severe weather watches are reports of weather conditions in which tornados could occur. The warning system is not activated for severe weather watches.
An ATTACK WARNING signal is a 3 to 5 minute wavering siren. This signal means that an actual attack against the United States has been detected and that the Federal Emergency Broadcast System has been activated. According to federal government guidelines, "this signal will be used for no other purpose and will have no other meaning. The use of indoor warning systems is essential, as most residents and businesses will not hear the warning system unless they are outside. An indoor warning system includes commercial broadcast radio, television stations, cable television override systems, tone activated radio receivers and public address systems in public buildings.
Listen For the Siren Testing the First Tuesday of Every Month at 10:00am.
It is important that the Village system be tested on a regular schedule to insure proper operation and to assist in educating the public to recognize the different warning signals. Testing occurs the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00am. Federal and state guidelines indicate that monthly warning systen tests should occur in the following manner:
This testing procedure will establish a test pattern different from that used in an actual emergency when the signals are sounded for 3 to 5 minutes.
Once it is activated, the warning sirens will not be reactivated for the same incident. The warning sirens will be reactivated for new, confirmed incidents.
In keeping with established policies, the Village of Melrose Park will not issue the all clear for any ALERT or ATTACK signals. Please monitor commercial radio and television for further information.
