The Frisco Fire Department sounds its Outdoor Warning Siren System every Wednesday at noon. These weekly, audible tests are meant to ensure the sirens were working properly and to help prepare for any severe weather or other emergency situation that threatens Frisco.
When testing the sirens each week, the Fire Department will not sound the sirens on days when the skies are overcast and gray, unless there is an emergency.
On the first Wednesday of the month, the public announcement (PA) and wail will be tested. Residents will hear the following: This is a test. This is a test of the emergency warning system. This is only a test. Concluding the test, residents will hear: This has been a test of the emergency warning system. This was only a test.
If it is not the first Wednesday, only the PA will be tested. Residents will hear the following: This is a test. This is a test of the emergency warning system. This is only a test. This is a test. This is a test of the emergency warning system. This is only a test.
For severe weather, the sirens will wail for three minutes.
Warning Sirens
The City of Frisco's Outdoor Warning Siren system consists of 42 sirens placed strategically throughout the city. The sirens may be activated individually or in groups to provide localized warnings. Sirens may also be activated simultaneously to provide a general alert for the entire community. The Outdoor Warning Sirens can be controlled from either the Central Fire Station, the 911 Dispatch Center at the Frisco Police Department or from certain Fire Department vehicles.
The Outdoor Warning Siren system uses certain tones to alert residents to the imminent approach of severe weather (including a tornado warning, destructive winds in excess of 70 miles per hour, and reported hail of 1.25 inches in diameter or greater) and other emergencies requiring immediate notification. Radio and television (including the city's government access channels) as well as public address systems mounted on fire and police vehicles, may also be used to provide information to our citizens, as needed. The wail signal is used for severe weather (including an actual tornado warning) as well as our first Wednesday siren testing.
Action
If you should hear the warning sirens, go inside and seek shelter immediately. Turn on a radio or television and listen carefully to instructions. WBAP Radio 820 AM is the designated Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for our area. Frisco residents with cable should tune to:
Channel 12 for Grande subscribers
Channel 16 for Time-Warner subscribers
Channel 37 for Verizon FIOS subscribers
Channel 99 for AT&T U-verse subscribers
Stay indoors until the danger passes. Please do not call 911 or Frisco Fire Stations for information unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation or hazardous condition.