- Home
- Government
- Divisions
- Emergency Management
- Public Warning System
- Local EAS Components
- Outdoor Warning Sirens
Outdoor Warning Sirens
One public alert resource are Teton County's outdoor warning sirens. Sirens alert people so that they tune to their EAS sources to get further information and instructions.
What To Do If You Hear an Outdoor Warning Siren
If you hear an outdoor warning siren, tune to local EAS radio stations, cable television, NOAA Weather Radio, local news sources, and/or your cell phone for a Nixle or Wireless Emergency Alert message advising what is happening, where it is happening, and what the recommended actions are. Please do not call 9-1-1 if you hear a siren unless you have an emergency and need help.
An outdoor warning siren activation is your notification to seek further information. Sirens may be used for many different types of hazards, including tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, dam failure, wildfire evacuation, and more.
Siren Limitations
Not all areas of the county are, or ever could be, covered by outdoor warning sirens. Our topography prevents these from being an effective warning system for outlying areas of the county, which is why they are found in more populated areas. Even if you live near a siren, they are not designed to penetrate buildings; they are intended to warn those who are outside.
Although some people may be able to hear these sirens inside of their homes, it may not be loud enough to wake you up if you were sleeping, for instance. For this reason, Teton County Emergency Management suggests that everyone, including those who live near the sirens, has a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio. This ensures that you will receive timely notifications, and the alert function is loud enough to wake most people up.
What the Sirens Sound Like
In Teton County, a 3 minute continuous wail means tune to local radio, TV, Nixle, Wireless Emergency Alert, or NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio for further information. When Teton County tests its siren system, it will use a 1 minute wail. Additionally, the sirens located at Station 1 downtown and in Teton Village are voice-capable, and can relay voice messages within a 1/2 mile radius.
CLICK HERE to hear a sample of what our outdoor warning sirens sound like (turn down your speakers...it is loud!).
What the Sirens Look Like
We have several different models of sirens in Teton County. A majority of them are either mechanical rotating or electronic omni-directional sirens like the two pictured here.