Frequently Asked Questions regarding Oakland Sirens

The outdoor warning sirens will be utilized to alert the public about impending hazards. Hazards that could lead to a siren activation include a toxic release, a threat of flooding or mudslides, a major fire that could necessitate an evacuation, or secondary problems caused by earthquakes (e.g. rupture to gas or water mains, collapse of bridges or overpasses) or other natural and technological perils. The sirens could be activated to alert the public to tune to the local emergency alerting radio stations: KCBS (740AM), KNBR(680AM), KGO(810AM) and the city's 530 AM radio station for safety information and instructions.

Prior to siren installation, a public notification strategy will be implemented to inform the public about the emergency alerting and notification system, and secondly, to inform residents and businesses of the sites proposed for installation of the first nine (9) sirens. The public notification strategy will be designed and implemented in cooperation with the Oakland Police Department's Neighborhood Service Coordinators (NSC's) and Home Alert Programs. The notification process will begin in July 2000.

Once the sirens are delivered, permits are granted, and approved sites are staked so that siren installation can begin, the public education campaign will be launched. The public education campaign is more extensive than the notification process and is being designed to inform the public about the emergency alerting and notification system,: what it consists of and how it can be used.

The proposed siren installation sites for Phase I are as follows:

1. Siren #2 Fire Station 29 on 66th Avenue
2. Siren #7 Lafayette Square in West Oakland
3. Siren #8 Goss and Pine Avenues in West Oakland
4. Siren #9 Poplar Recreation area in West Oakland
5. Siren #21 Snowdown and Malcolm Avenue in Grass Valley area
6. Siren #22 Fire Station 28 at Grass Valley and Golf Links Road
7. Siren #30 Fire Station 25 on Butters Drive
8. Siren #34 Across from Fire Station 24 in Shepard Canyon
9. Siren #36 PG&E Substation at Lake Temescal

These sites were selected to:

1. Place initial nine (9) sirens in broad geographical cross-section of the city in the high-risk hazardous materials zones and most vulnerable fire hazard zones,
2. Provide siren coverage in densely populated residential, business and public institution areas, so as to alert greatest number of citizens,
3. Install sirens on city-owned and/or utility-controlled properties, rather than private property to minimize impacts on neighborhood aesthetics.

The control computer for siren activation will be situated at the Fire Dispatch Center, with a back-up system located at the Police Department Communications Center. A system of monthly testing will be instituted in conjunction with routine maintenance procedures.

The current timeframe for installation of the first nine sirens is between July and September 2000 or within 120 days after City Council approval.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Oakland Sirens