By Dave Scutt, Fire Chief

The City of Mason has three sirens located throughout the city to alert the residents to the possibility of severe weather or other possible emergencies with potential risk of injuries or property damage. These sirens are usually sounded on the advice of the National Weather Service; however if conditions and reports from the field or specific emergency type warrant it they may be activated at anytime. The sirens may be activated by either the fire or police department.

When the sirens are activated they will have a high/low wailing sound for the warning sound and a steady tone to sound the all clear. Both of these signals have a duration time of three minutes. These sirens are also tested every Monday of the month at noon.

These sirens are designed to alert and warn the people who are outside during these emergencies. They are not designed to penetrate into houses with closed doors and windows.

When the siren is heard go inside and tune to the radio or television to determine the nature of the emergency and information on how to protect you and your family. For weather related emergencies be prepared to go to your designated shelter or if you don't have one the basement of city hall is open for that purpose. For other emergencies such as chemical, biological, or radiological, you may be told to evacuate the area or to shelter-in-place.

Shelter-in-place means that a hazardous material may have been released into the atmosphere near your location. This precaution is aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room with no or few windows that's above ground, and taking refuge there. Above ground is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.

To shelter-in-place at home close and lock all windows and doors. Locking makes a better seal. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems, and close the fireplace damper so no outside air is drawn into the house. Take a battery operated AM/FM radio, flashlight, bottled water, towels, toys for young children, candles, matches, first-aid kit, medicine and other items essential for your families survival. Bring pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water for them. It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select; cell phones might be overwhelmed and not work. Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific area at the greatest risk.

Remember that instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for durations of a few hours, not days or weeks.

When you hear the "all clear" message over the emergency broadcast system, you should; open doors and windows turn on your heating/cooling system to ventilate the house, and go outside.

Remember, except for the first Monday at noon, a siren wailing for three a minute cycle means you need to seek further information to keep you and your family safe.