EMERGENCY SIRENS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20708, 7 March 1942, Page 4

EMERGENCY SIRENS

TRY-OUT ON MONDAY TEST OF EFFICIENCY Opportunity will be taken of the black-out trial on Monday night for testing out the special sirens which have been erected for the purpose-of giving a warning in the event of an emergency. While the authorities fully appreciate the importance of not using alarm signals unnecessarily, there are several reasons which make Monday night’s test desirable. In the first place, it is desired to find out over what area and how clearly the new sirens can be heard, and for this purpose observations will be made throughout the borough. A second consideration is the need for acquainting the public with the sound of the emergency alarm in order that they can distinguish it from the ordinary fire siren. It is felt that knowledge of the different signals will allay any alarm which might otherwise be caused by the sounding of the fire siren.

The alarm signal to be tested on Monday night will consist of a series of blasts lasting all told for three minutes. The all-clear signal will be a continuous blast lasting for two minutes. People are asked to take particular note of the signals in order that they should be able to recognise them in the event of their being given in an emergency. It is also suggested that parents should use the occasion for instructing children as to the meaning of the signals and the reason for the trial.

It is pointed out that members of the E.P.S. services will not turn out for Monday night’s alarm signal unless they are required in connection with the black-out trial or have been specially requested to do so by their controllers.