A central control computer or encoder, operated by Haltom City Public Safety Communications personnel, sends a secure digital message to each siren, telling the siren to operate. The message is capable of activating one or all sirens by zoning capability. Once the siren receives the message, a motor turns the siren, allowing it to broadcast the warning in all directions.

The system in Haltom City is a network of five warning sirens placed on poles fifty feet from the ground surface. These warning sirens are placed in strategically located areas throughout the city.

In Haltom City, residents can experience a variety of emergencies, including the effects of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and hazardous materials accidents. The warning system may be activated for severe weather which may include, sustained winds of 70 miles per hour or greater, hail one and a quarter inch or larger, flash flooding conditions, or at times when the National Weather Service is tracking a tornado or severe storms which could affect residents in Haltom City. There may be isolated emergencies that would warrant activation of the warning system such as hazardous materials or hazardous substance spills or releases (gas leaks, etc.)

There will only be one tone for an emergency or a test. The difference between a test and an actually emergency warning will be the length of time the siren is activated. If an emergency arises you will hear the sound for a minimum of three minutes whereas a test will only sound for a maximum time of one minute. The sound will be a steady tone and is called an alert tone.

Exception: In the event of an air or nuclear attack, a different tone will be activated. This tone will have a one-sec/one-sec sweep rate and will not be used for testing or other emergencies. This one-sec/one-sec sweep rate is called the attack tone which means it will change pitch every second. In either case of emergency it is recommended you go inside and listen for instruction from your local television or radio station.

-Remain calm and go inside immediately. Turn on your radio or television.
NOTE: In this area, WBAP Radio 820 AM is the designated Emergency Alert System (EAS) station. Most other radio and television stations will also broadcast information regarding emergencies.
-Listen carefully to instruction provided by the EAS station.
-Take whatever action is necessary to protect yourself and your family. -Stay inside unless you receive information that contradicts staying inside. It is almost always safer to stay inside until the emergency has ended.
-Please do not call 911 unless you must report a life-threatening situation.
-Keep blankets, water, food (non-perishable), flashlight, personal hygiene items, necessary medications, portable radio and spare batteries readily accessible.
-Have your driver’s license, checkbook, cash and credit cards with you.
-Always keep at least a half tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
-If you have a cellular telephone, keep it charged and accessible for these emergencies.

This program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search, rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

CERT Classes February 24, 2011 thru March 31, 2011

CERT members in action during a recent training exercise: