The Oceanside Police Department is among regional agencies introducing a siren system to warn neighborhoods of immediate danger and evacuation, regional law enforcement announced last month.

The new Hi-Lo siren is a specific sound different from regularly used sirens, according to an OPD news release.

“OPD will only use this critical warning system to inform neighborhoods of an evacuation order in the event of natural disasters, extreme emergencies, or critical incidents such as wildfires, flash floods, tsunamis, or other threats,” the department stated in its announcement. “It may also be for SWAT standoffs, gas leaks, hazmat spills and sinkholes that pose an immediate danger to neighbors.”

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies launched a public education campaign about the Hi-Lo siren in early May. The public can hear what the siren sounds like on the Sheriff’s Department’s YouTube channel.

“Hi-Lo alerts entire neighborhoods they are in immediate danger,” the Sheriff’s Department explained in a news release. “Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with emergency instructions even when phone lines are not working or there are no internet or mobile networks available.”

The Sheriff’s Department covers the North San Diego County cities of Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and unincorporated communities.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, law enforcement agencies that adopt the system will use it to warn residents of danger and evacuation in emergencies such as:

Wildfires
Flash floods
Earthquakes
Tsunami
Terrorist incidents
Bomb threats
SWAT standoffs
Gas Leaks
Hazmat Spills
Sinkholes

In addition to being aware of the new Hi-Lo siren system, the Oceanside Police Department reminds residents to prepare for emergencies and evacuations by visiting ReadySanDiego.org. Authorities also encourage residents to register cell phones with AlertSanDiego to receive emergency notifications.

“(Hi-Lo) will be one more emergency tool for the region,” OPD stated. “Traditional notification systems, such as AlertSanDiego phone calls, loudspeaker announcements and door-to-door notifications will continue to be used.”

OsideNews is an edition of the North Coast Current.