Following the devastating California wildfires experienced in 2018 and 2019, the City Council directed staff to explore the feasibility of an Outdoor Warning System. The staff working group consists of members from Public Works, the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Public Information Office, and the Office of Emergency Management.

This project serves to add as an additional layer of emergency notification redundancy, primarily for those who are outdoors.

The Outdoor Warning Siren (OWS) System Project consists of the installation of twelve (12) outdoor emergency warning sirens to add an additional layer of notification redundancy in the event of natural and manmade disasters, primarily for those who are outside when something dangerous is approaching.  Through this project, sirens will be placed strategically around the City to ensure maximum coverage of audible alert if the sirens are activated.  

Following installation of the sirens, an ongoing public information campaign will be initiated to ensure that the message of the siren tones is understood and people know what action to take when they hear a siren.  Additionally, regular periodic siren testing will be performed not only for testing purposes, but also to help increase public awareness of the sirens and their meaning.  Staff will work with the surrounding cities and jurisdictional partners to ensure coordination before, during and after potential activations of the outdoor warning system.

The City’s contractor, Syblon Reid, began the installation of a City-wide outdoor warning siren system in March 2023 at 12 different locations within the City. 

What to Expect:

• Construction crews and equipment.
• No parking signs and traffic control devices such as cones, delineators, and arrow boards in certain locations.
• Lane closures and traffic shifting in certain locations

When:

Beginning March 20, 2023 

(weather permitting).

Work hours are 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Monday to Friday,  with occasional weekends and nighttime.

Where:

• 12 locations within the City (see map).
• 

Project Related Documents:

Outdoor Siren Project - Study Session report

Outdoor Warring Siren - Agenda Report 3-1-23

Outdoor Siren Project PPT Presentation 1-30-20

EM-Wildfire Evacuation Exercise Mailer

For more information contact:  askpw@beverlyhills.org or 310-285-2467