City begins monthly testing of warning sirens

Published on April 06, 2023

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Emergency Management team will begin monthly testing of its outdoor warning sirens at noon Friday, April 7. Testing of the sirens will continue at noon on the first Friday of the month through October. Those residents who are outdoors and who do not hear the sirens during testing are asked to call the City’s 311 Customer Service at 616.456.3000.

The sirens help alert members of the community, who are outdoors, of tornado warnings and the need to find shelter and seek information. The outdoor warning sirens are part of a broad emergency notification system that includes the City’s emergency alert system, weather and media apps for smartphones, weather radios and local radio and TV alerts. The Grand Rapids emergency alert system notifies subscribers about weather warnings, water boil notices, evacuation notices, and other emergency messages.

“The sirens are used and designed only to reach people who are outdoors,” said Allison Farole, emergency manager. “Outdoor sirens may not be able to reach the interior of all homes due to distance, improved housing construction, sound deadening features and the specific location within the home such as a basement, so redundant methods of alerts such as our emergency alert system are recommended. The testing of the outdoor sirens is an excellent time to discuss plans for severe weather with your loved ones and co-workers.”

For information on how to prepare for a tornado and what to do after a tornado, CLICK HERE.