Canyon to test sirens Tuesday2 min read

By
Larson Newspapers
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Sirens like this one will sound throughout Oak Creek Canyon at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, as part of the annual Sedona Fire District’s test. In case of flood, fire or other emergency, the sirens warn people to evacuate the canyon.

In preparation for the upcoming monsoon, the Sedona Fire District and Coconino County Department of Emergency Management will test the emergency siren system within Oak Creek Canyon and Pine Valley at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 28.

This system is designed to notify Oak Creek Canyon and Uptown residents, businesses and visitors of severe emergencies that require evacuation. This test serves two purposes:

  • SFD is assured that the system is working well and will be available when needed.
  • For residents, businesses and visitors to become aware of what to expect in an actual emergency.

If an evacuation is necessary and the siren system is implemented, residents are to remain calm, seek high ground and tune their radio to KAFF 930 AM or 92.9 FM for specific directions [if possible].

Ahead of the test, residents and visitors are asked to locate to a safe area on their properties or on high ground where they could safely retreat during a flood. Residents are not asked to evacuate during the siren test but should immediately do so in an actual emergency.

Residents are also encouraged to register with the city of Sedona, Coconino and/or Yavapai counties emergency notification systems. Formerly known as Reverse 911, the system for both Coconino and Yavapai counties is called CodeRED.

CodeRED is an emergency notification system that serves each county, including the cities located within their respective boundaries.

Coconino and Yavapai officials can remotely send recorded emergency information to a large majority of residents. Public safety officials may use this system to notify residents in the event of wildland fires, neighborhood evacuations, closures of major highways due to traffic collisions, natural disasters, law enforcement emergencies and any other occurrence that may affect public safety.

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Register for CodeRED at coconino.az.gov/emergency or www.regionalinfo-alert.org.

Sedona residents may access the city of Sedona’s system at www.sedonaaz.your-government/department/city-manager/sign-up-for-emergency-alerts.

Preparedness for any type of emergency or disaster starts with you. Follow these steps to be prepared:

  • Have a plan. Develop a family emergency evacuation plan together and plan escape routes.
  • Have an emergency kit for evacuations and a stay kit for sheltering in place.
  • Stay informed through emergency notification alerts.

For additional information, call 282-6800 or go to sedonafire.org.

Larson Newspapers

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