Testing Of Outdoor Tone Alert System Includes Emergency Crews

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents shouldn't be concerned if they hear alerts or see police, firefighters, rescue teams or drones Thursday.

The Office of Emergency Management will be conducting a full-scale test of the Historic Ellicott City Outdoor Tone Alert System Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. Testing will begin with an announcement of “This is a test.” Testing will end with the message “This concludes testing of the Historic Ellicott City Tone Alert System. Testing is now complete.”

The entire tone alert system will be tested, including the activation of several silent tests, which are described as more short, high-pitched bursts of sound, flash flood warnings and all clear messages.

The Howard County Police Department and Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services also will practice responses to flash flooding during this time, so those in the area may see police officers, firefighters, swift water rescue teams and drones in action around Historic Ellicott City.