What's That Alarm In Beverly Hills? City Tests Emergency System

BEVERLY HILLS, CA —Sirens will blare throughout the city Wednesday afternoon as the city tests its Outdoor Warning System.

During the test, scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, 12 sirens around the city will sound an alarm for three minutes. The sirens are placed in locations to ensure the broadcast is heard in all parts of the city's residential and business districts, city officials said.

The siren played at that time will just be a test: no action is required from the community during the test.

“The terrible wildfires just a few months ago reminded us that immediate information is essential in any kind of disaster,” Mayor Sharona Nazarian said. “The OWS system is another valuable notification tool. During an emergency, you will also receive information from the City by phone, text, email, social media, beverlyhills.org, and radio broadcasts.”

In a real emergency, a siren sound would be followed by instructions broadcast in multiple languages, such as information about whether people should evacuate or take other measures, officials said.

More information about the city's Outdoor Warning System is available on the city's website.