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Calif. sheriff’s office implements Hi-Lo siren to alert public of immediate evacuations

The warning siren will be used for all disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes and floods

Ventura County siren.JPG

By Nancy Perry

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has equipped its emergency vehicles with a new Hi-Lo siren to notify residents when they must immediately evacuate during an emergency.

California Governor Newsom recently signed a bill authorizing the use of a European-style Hi-Lo siren to aid in emergency evacuations. The warning siren will be used for all disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes and floods.

“People often tune out regular police sirens requiring deputies to go door-to-door to inform residents of an evacuation,” said Deputy Wendell Campbell. “This Hi-Lo siren allows us to quickly alert entire neighborhoods that they’re in immediate danger.”

With wildfires increasing in frequency and severity, this distinct siren will serve as a tool to efficiently notify the public of an encroaching fire and the need to evacuate.

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