FAIR LAWN
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

SIREN INFO PAGE

FAIR LAWN COMMUNITY EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (SIRENS)

Since 1991, the Office of Emergency Management has worked with our elected officials to design a new community siren system.  This system, which would replace the existing mechanical sirens installed in the early 1950’s, is a new radio activated system which would take our community into the new millennium.

Residents think of our early warning siren system as the "fire sirens", as they were used for years to notify our fire department of fire alarms. In fact, the old system was installed during the cold war, as air raid sirens, to warn residents of possible nuclear attack.

The new system consists of 6 radio activated speaker towers, located throughout the Borough of Fair Lawn.

FAQ about Siren System
1. Why does our community need an early warning siren system?
While the end of the cold war has all but eliminated the chance of nuclear attack, modern technology has created new community hazards, which could be caused by transportation accidents, hazardous materials incidents, domestic terrorism and natural disaster. Emergency response and planning agencies must have the ability to communicate emergency information to the general public.
2. Where are the new sirens being installed and how loud are they going to be?
The new system has only six (6) towers, which will be located as follows:  Memorial Park, Maple Avenue & Henderson Blvd., Pollitt Drive, Banta Place & Watkins Avenue, Well Drive & High Street and Saddle River Road in the area of Beaver Dam Park. Prior to going forward with this project OEM visited a number of Communities with this type system to test noise impact. What was found is that the new system will put out 65 decibels 3200 feet from each tower.  This is louder than the present system, but the frequency is lower and as a result less intrusive to the human ear.
3. Will the new siren system be tested every evening at 6:15?
Yes, but you will not hear it! The new system is radio activated. As a result the system will be silent tested every evening. Our police communication center will be able to test the system without disturbing the residents. OEM has recommended an audible test once a week. This test will be a siren sound followed by a taped voice message announcing the test.
4. When and why will the new sirens be sounded?
In addition to a weekly audible test, the new system will be activated for weather related school closings, severe weather warnings, hazardous material incidents both in Fair Lawn and surrounding communities that impact Fair Lawn and/or at anytime when emergency public information must be given to our residents.
5.  If an emergency occurs on one side of town will all six sirens have to be activated?
NO!.. one of the very positive features of the new system is the ability to provide information only to that part of town affected by an emergency incident.