By Staff Reports
(Kauai)– The Kaua’i Civil Defense Agency (KCDA) is encouraging the public to report siren failures that occur during the monthly test of the statewide outdoor siren warning system and the live audio broadcast of the emergency alert system. Kaua’i has a total of 54 siren systems located throughout the island.
The next test is scheduled at 11:45 a.m. this Thursday, Nov. 1, the first working day of the month.
“To ensure that we can provide accurate and timely alerts to the public regarding any emergency that may pose a threat to life and property, we are asking for the public’s assistance with notifying us about siren failures,” said KCDA Manager Theodore Daligdig, III. “Our goal is to have all of our sirens fully functional.”
KCDA relies heavily on a group of volunteers to check on whether the sirens in their respective neighborhoods are working properly.
“The volunteers provide us with a verbal report regarding the sounding of each siren after each monthly test. The failed systems are then checked by KCDA personnel, and the list of failures are reported to the State Civil Defense Agency (SCDA),” said Daligdig, adding that technicians are sent from O‘ahu to repair non-functional systems.
When an emergency occurs, an update on the sirens is also completed. During last Saturday’s tsunami warning, four of Kaua’i’s sirens did not sound.
“In the event of a real emergency, residents should tune in to local television and radio stations if they hear the siren signal. The stations will explain why the sirens are sounding,” said Daligdig.
Tests are conducted on the first working day of each month.
To report a siren failure, please call the Kaua’i Civil Defense Agency at 241-1800.