[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...d7798141497.txt

New PA system, warning siren activated

By Ilene Haluska
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, May 26, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — A new public announcement system and warning siren installed in Washington Park can be heard as far as the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets.

The siren will only be tested once a month, on the first Saturday at 11 a.m., starting on June 2, explained Fran Tibbit, director of La Porte County Emergency Management. Immediately after two, one-minute signals sounding with a minute of silence in between, the PA system will initiate a prerecorded message stating, “This is a test of the La Porte County Emergency Management. This is a test.”

“The new PA system is so that we can announce a tornado warning, where to take cover, or if there’s a missing child at the beach,” Tibbit said.

During an emergency, the siren will go off like normal, or a few more times, then a preprogrammed message of what’s occurring, such as a storm. Then an authorized public safety or beach official will provide additional information. Officials are simultaneously notified and allowed to give authorization for public announcements. Those officials are the police and fire chiefs and Park Department director.

“With the storms that have been around us, we thought it would be beneficial to have an emergency alert system that could also give our information of where to go and what to do, instead of just a warning,” Tibbitt said.

In an emergency, first seek shelter, then listen to local radio stations WEFM 95.9 or WLOI-AM 1540/WCOE-FM 96.7 for instructions. Additional information may be available on local cable channel 97, the weather channel, CNN or Chicago and South Bend radio and television stations.

In Michigan City, WEFM will broadcast a simulcast of the emergency siren test. “This is done to educate the public and condition their response to tune in to local media channels to verify whether the sirens are being tested or whether an actual emergency exists,” according to La Porte County Emergency Management.

Emergency Management also advises residents not to call police, 911 or radio and television broadcasters for information regarding sirens to keep lines open for emergency information.

[Dave]

Just heard it. It was pretty loud at my house, which is about a mile from the beach. It must be deafening if you're actually AT the beach!