UKIAH, 8/29/19 — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is adding a new siren sound to its repertoire, a “high-low” sound that will be used, specifically to indicate it’s time to evacuate an area. The sound can be heard in a short information video the MCSO has produced (here). For those of you who are reading this in loud (or quiet) places, and can’t hear the video, the new sound is a “British style” siren, with a sort of, “whaaaaa-whooooo-whaaaaa-whooooo” yell, of just two notes, that sounds like a siren in a movie.
But really it’s best to familiarize yourself directly with the sound, rather than trying to read what this sound, sounds like.
The new siren has been instituted in the wake of two devastating fire years, in which it was necessary for many people across the county to quickly evacuate their homes. In some cases people with limited phone service, or internet connectivity, have been left unaware of evacuation orders, and in the case of future evacuation events, MCSO deputies will drive through the area with this unique siren sound blaring. So if you hear this siren it’s best to get moving.
Here is the press release from the MCSO:
DATE: “August 29, 2019”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number:
2019
Crime/Incident:
Public Service Announcement: High-Low Siren
Location:
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
Date of Incident:
08-23-2019
Time:
N/A
Victim(s):
N/A
Suspect(s):
N/A
Written By:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184
Synopsis:
On 08-23-2019 Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas Allman announced the implementation of the use of a High-Low siren in Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles.
During a major emergency there may be a time where people need to safely evacuate their residence or the area where the emergency is occurring. This is a situation that has occurred over the last two years with wild-land fires in Mendocino County.
The High-Low siren is a new way for the Sheriff’s Office to notify individuals that an evacuation is imminent and steps should be taken to leave the area.
For more information please visit mendocinosheriff.com or mendocinocounty.org/mendoalert.A Public Service Announcement video by Sheriff Thomas Allman explaining the use of the High-Low siren can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoSheriff/videos/vb.256614137966/935273690147737/?type=2&theater
MCSO
Approved by:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184
Over the years, I’ve seen an erosion of neighborliness.
The “old” fire signal was to drive down (and up) the road intermittently honking 3 times in quick sequences. That prompted neighbors to run to a clearing and look for smoke. Tools in hand, we ran toward the smoke.
Knowing I was not accessible, my daughter showed up; we bagged the cat, and were out of there. No one coming down the Mountain was allowed back up (for good reasons) but many people with stock stayed throughout the ordeal because they couldn’t move them. A re-supply chain was formed at the border of the evacuation, and worked well.
I wonder how efficacious this new siren will be. And at what expense.