Pincher Creek and area's emergency siren policy

Pincher Creek Emergency Services
Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency

Public Information Release

The communities of Pincher Creek, Cowley and Lundbreck all have sirens attached to their fire halls.  In the past these sirens had a number of different uses including sounding at certain times every day (noon for example).

The sirens have not been used for a number of years.  The Pincher Creek Community Emergency Management Agency sees that they could be an effective tool to alert our communities to an emergency.

We are therefore implementing a policy where these sirens may be used to alert people when we have an emergency.  In the interest of having an easy policy to remember, if requested the sirens will be used to put out a single continuous tone.  This tone will last for one minute.  If more than one tone is requested the next tone will be five minutes after the previous one, again for one minute.

The sirens may be sounded for a number of different reasons such as:

• Help is required in filling sandbags
• An evacuation is occurring due to some event
• A major fire requiring evacuation is occurring
• Other volunteer help is needed

Alberta Emergency Alert
(link)

When you hear the siren there is an ongoing emergency event and you should check for information on what to do:

• Check Alberta Emergency Alert’s website at emergencyalert.alberta.ca
• A dedicated phone line has been set up to release information to the public during emergency events at 1-855-627-5365.
• Tune to local radio stations for news updates.

The week of May 6-12 is Emergency Preparedness Week.
As a test, at noon on Saturday, May 12 the emergency sirens will be sounded.
Local activities will be held on Saturday, May 12th at the Ranchland Mall (Co-Op) from 9:30 AM to 2 PM.  Please come out and talk to local emergency service agencies about tips on how to ensure your family’s safety.

Watch for further details in next week’s local media.