Testing of Outdoor Warning Sirens

Due to the recent wildfires and community impacts, the audible testing of outdoor warning sirens will be postponed by one month.

The outdoor emergency sirens system warns community members about weather related emergencies, and depending on programming, hazardous materials and wildfires. Sirens are meant to reach people that are outside, not indoors.

All Boulder County sirens undergo weekly tests throughout the year, using a software program that performs a “silent” test. All communities have been using the silent test system for many years and with a high degree of reliability. Audible testing is also a way to check if sirens are working properly during the season of peak flood danger. The tests also promote public awareness of the warning sirens located throughout Boulder County during our flood season from April to August.

When the audible siren testing resumes in May, it will start on May 2, and be tested as well on June 6, and August 1. July will be skipped as it falls on the Fourth of July holiday. The test will occur twice on each testing day, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Should Boulder County experience severe weather during one of the planned audible tests, the siren tests for that day may be canceled. For updated information, visit: www.BoulderODM.gov.

The annual siren testing is a good reminder for community members to sign up for emergency alerts at: http://www.boco911alert.com. This system allows all community members in Boulder County to be notified of emergency situations in a variety of ways including on their cell phone, home, work phones, text messaging, and email.

Community members are encouraged to review their own emergency preparedness plans and discuss what they would do in the event of a flash flood or other emergency. For more information about personal preparedness, please visit: www.ReadyColorado.com.