The City of Ann Arbor has 22 Siren locations throughout the City Limits. The Sirens will be tested every 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 1:00 p.m., with 1 minute of steady wailing. Testing of the Sirens is performed from March through November. The sirens may be activated for various reasons, most importantly for the following reasons:
Tornado Warning
Nuclear Attack
Hazardous Materials Spill
*** Please note: Washtenaw County sirens are tested on the first Saturday of the month at 12:00 noon from March through September. ***
In the event that the sirens are activated, they will sound for 3 minutes with steady wailing, TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!! Tune your battery operated radio to WAAM 1600 AM, WEMU 89.1 FM, or KOOL 107.1 FM for more information. If you still have access to the television, and you are a subscriber to the local cable company, tune to channel 16 for updates on the current emergency situation. There is no "all clear" alert from the sirens. An "all clear" notification will be broadcasted on the radio.
Unless you need the police, fire or paramedics, do not tie up emergency phone lines. Also, 911 lines should be kept clear for people who really need police, fire or medical help fast. (Of course, if that includes you or someone near you, then you should call.)
Another option is to purchase a weather radio from your local electronic store that will sound when an EAS alert is given. In the event of an emergency, you should have a Family Disaster Supplies Kit on hand. In addition to assembling your Family Disaster Supplies Kit, you should have a Family Disaster Preparedness Plan. Discuss with your family how to prepare for a disaster. Make sure you have follow-up discussions to remind family members about your emergency plans.
PLEASE NOTE: The Sirens are an OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM ONLY. They are not intended to be heard indoors. If you hear them while indoors, consider yourself fortunate for the advance warning. Please call the Office of Emergency Management at 734-761-2425 if you are outdoors and do not hear the sirens on the scheduled time and day of the testing. Also, anyone located near the sirens that would like to participate in our Siren Monitor Program, please contact our office or send an email to the Office of Emergency Management.