CodeRED Siren System Tests Planned Thursday, October 15th
Energy Northwest, in partnership with Benton and Franklin County Emergency Management, will test the siren warning system in Benton and Franklin counties on Thursday, October 15th. Please mark your calendar for this important date.
The siren system serves people who live and work within the publicly accessible portions of the 10-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) surrounding the Columbia Generating Station.
A special CodeRED test will also occur on October 15h in conjunction with the planned siren system test. CodeRED is a telephone notification system that works like a 9-1-1 system in reverse; calling EPZ residents' phones to advise of important emergency information.
Annual tests are conducted to ensure emergency equipment functions as expected and to train emergency workers on its use. Additional information is available through both counties' emergency preparedness websites.To access this information, or to register for CodeRED notifications on your phone or mobile device go here for Benton County residents and go here for Franklin County residents.
If you are new to the area or if your contact information has changed, please inform your county's emergency management office.
Once you have filled in the appropriate information, you will be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts. Examples include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports.
Testing of sirens is expected to begin shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2020. Testing is planned to involve activation of the siren system for a least two complete test cycles. Each test cycle is planned to include a 3-minute siren activation and will be accompanied by public address statements that announce the test.
Energy Northwest website here.