AM 1620 and the Outdoor Warning Sirens
The Outdoor Warning Sirens are meant to notify citizens that they need to seek shelter immediately and turn on their radio or television for further information. The sirens are tested at 10:00 am on the first Tuesday of every month. There is 1 minute of sustained tone, one minute of silence and then one minute of wavering tone. The only exception to this is if there is severe or the threat of severe weather at that time, we would not conduct the siren test.
Most communities use Outdoor Warning Sirens to aid in warning residents about the threat of a tornado. Bensenville uses sirens in conjunction with trained volunteer spotters that act as extra eyes to the sky, and a locally owned and operated AM radio station. The spotters help verify the threat of a tornado, the sirens help alert residents, and the radio station helps tell residents why the sirens are being activated. . THE station is located on your AM dial at 1620; check your transistor radio to make sure you can dial it in. This is a good way to get information during and after an emergency or disaster.
We do this because severe weather or tornadoes are not the only reason the village would want to warn residents. The sirens are activated to get your attention, “local government wants to talk to you”. The radio station gives you the information about the emergency.
During severe weather season, AM 1620 will provide information about types of storms possible, the difference between watches and warnings, protections that may become necessary and other preparedness information.
Listen to our messages now, the station operates 24hrs a day, learn the difference between a test and actual activation of the sirens. Next time you hear the sirens being tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am, tune in.
NOW is also the time to put together an emergency preparedness kit and place it in the area you have picked as your shelter. It is recommended that your kit include a transistor radio, flashlight, batteries for both, a simple first aid kit and place them in a watertight container. To avoid corrosion do not place the batteries in the radio or flashlight, until needed.
RESIDENTS may be interested in knowing that all these systems and procedures are accomplished with trained volunteers of Bensenville Emergency Management Agency. Bensenville EMA is always looking for additional volunteers to assist in severe weather and other emergency related activities.
TO find out more about EMA and its volunteers, or if you have questions about the above information contact the Coordinator at 350-3461.
GIVE us a call, get involved, volunteer.