Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, in partnership with HI-EMA (Hawaii Emergency Management Agency) tested seven new emergency alert sirens around the island of Hawai‘i over the last few days.
These sirens are only one of several ways Civil Defense alerts the public in an emergency. Sirens have a limited range making them inaudible to a large portion of Hawai‘i Island. When a siren alarms, turn on your radio or television and check your mobile devices for further instruction. If you are not in range of the nearest siren, make sure you are signed up for the Blackboard text/email alert system.
The EAS and IPAWS systems are activated during an emergency alert level of WARNING. These alerts are automatic and do not require registration.
EAS (Emergency Alert System) – Messages will scroll across your television screen and will be read over AM/FM radio.
IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) – All cell phones are alerted unless you have turned off your notification setting.
The sirens are tested the first working day of each month at 11:45 a.m., unless otherwise noted. Contact Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency to report a siren malfunction at (808) 935-0031.
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