The Outdoor Emergency Warning System for the City of Westland consists of 10 Whelen High Power WPS-2800 remote siren sites that have been strategically placed to offer coverage throughout the community. The sirens have been used to warn Westland residents and visitors of any impending threat to life and property. The sirens have the ability to produce four tones, and to broadcast a vocal message. The sirens are only used to offer an alert to the public and have never been used for any other type of message broadcasting. Some of the threats that may cause the activation of the siren system would be:

• Tornado warning and/or tornado touchdown in Wayne County
• Hazardous Material Spill
• Nuclear strike warning
• Flood warning, or any other real threat to the community

When the siren system is activated, the public is advised to go into their homes, turn on the radio and/or television and await information through the Federal EWS (Emergency Warning System) as to the pending threat and steps to take for you and your family's safety.

Since the system in Westland is an Outdoor warning system, the activation of the sirens may not be heard inside your home. The purpose of this system was to warn people outside to seek shelter indoors. For your protection, you should always be aware of present weather conditions. If the weather looks threatening, turn on a radio or television to keep current on the approaching fronts. A weather alert radio can be purchased to alert you regarding any watches and/or warnings.

The sirens are tested every first Saturday of each month at 12:00 p.m. If you do not hear the siren at this time, please do not call the 911 operators. The Office of Emergency Management phone number is (734) 467-3201. Leave a message, telephone number, and residence location, and the Emergency Management Coordinator will contact you the following Monday to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Emergency Management is currently in the process of servicing all sirens in the city.

The City of Westland has also installed a radio station in the city to provide information to residents in the event of an emergency. This station is located at 1700 on the AM dial.

The City of Westland also has the ability to provide emergency information through cable TV access.

Further information is available from the State of Michigan web site.

Contact Robert Fields at the Office of Emergency Management at (734) 467-3182 if you have any questions.