Purpose of the Siren

You may begin hearing our fire station’s emergency siren from time to time. This siren is part of our alert system that notifies volunteer firefighters and medics of an emergency such as a fire, medical call, or other urgent situation.

The siren is integrated directly with Douglas County’s 911 dispatching system, ensuring that it automatically activates whenever our department is dispatched to an emergency. This system is similar to what other Oregon communities, including Canyonville, Riddle, and Myrtle Creek, use to back up their alert systems.

Why the Siren Is Important

While our volunteers are primarily alerted through pagers and cell phones, those devices are not always reliable. Issues such as poor radio reception, weak cell service, or simply not having a pager or phone nearby can delay response times.

The siren provides a critical secondary alert method because it is triggered directly from the 911 dispatch center. This backup helps ensure our volunteers respond quickly and consistently. Additionally, the presence of the siren contributes to our ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, which can help lower homeowners’ insurance rates in our community.

When the Siren Will Sound

To balance community needs with operational effectiveness, the siren will only sound between:

• 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Each activation lasts approximately 60 seconds. This provides volunteers with adequate time to hear the alert while also giving community members and motorists a reminder to stay alert for fire trucks responding to emergencies.

History of Our Siren

The siren at our station dates back to the 1950s. It is powered by a 3-phase, 220/440-volt, 10-horsepower motor.

Originally, sirens of this type were widely used during the Cold War as air raid warning devices. In other parts of the United States, especially in the East and Midwest, similar sirens continue to be used as tornado warnings.

In the fire service, sirens like this one have been used since the 1930s. Before sirens, firefighters were commonly alerted using bell towers in town centers.

What to Do When You Hear the Siren

If you hear the siren, there is no cause for alarm. It does not indicate a public danger such as a weather event or evacuation. Instead, it simply means that our volunteer firefighters and medics are being dispatched to an emergency and are responding to help the community.