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Home ▸ Departments ▸ Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

Notification

Outdoor Sirens

Lake County is covered by an emergency alert outdoor siren system which may be used to alert citizens of possible dangers such as chemical emergencies, natural and man-made disasters and national security issues. These sirens are designed to be heard by those outdoors, away from other alerting sources, to advise them to go inside and seek additional information.

The Lake County sirens are tested quarterly, at 11:00 A.M. on the second Wednesday in January, April, July and October. This test will be a single three-minute sounding.

During an emergency, sirens will be sounded three times for three-minutes, each separated by a 30-second break. You may also be warned by loud speakers used by fire and police departments. When you hear the Emergency Siren follow these directions calmly-but immediately:

  • Go indoors, closing all exterior doors and windows.
  • Tune to local emergency information stations.  Follow broadcast information.
  • DO NOT call 911 unless you have a specific need or emergency.  Such calls for information could hinder response activities and block phone lines for actual emergencies.
  • Stay tuned to your radio or TV for further information.

Emergency workers will check to see if you know about the emergency. To show that you know about the emergency and DO NOT need assistance, tie a towel to your door, mailbox, or other object visible from the road. Check on neighbors as time permits, especially those who could need assistance. Confirm that they have received the emergency message and know what to do.

Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS)

In January 2021, the Lake County Emergency Management Agency upgraded our VESTA Alert system to the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) to help notify our citizens during times of emergency. This new system adds to the capability of reaching Lake County citizens with important emergency information through automated voice calls, text messages and e-mails.  Residents may also opt to receive NOAA Weather Warnings (i.e. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Lake Effect Snow Warnings, etc.). 

All messages originating from Lake County will include important information, along with instructions on what to do during the emergency. Specific criteria has been designated for the use of WENS.  The criteria could be any one, or more, of the following: 

  • Conditions exist where affected residents could be, or have the potential to be, in immediate danger
  • There is a potential for serious risk to life and property
  • Notification could aid in the apprehension of a criminal suspect
  • Notification could aid in the safe return of a lost child
  • Notification could aid in the safe return of a mentally, physically or emotionally challenged individual or an elderly patient (walk away from a nursing facility).

In order to receive this important information, all you have to do is make sure you’re registered in our database.  All residents of Lake County with a published landline telephone number, and those that signed up via the old VESTA self-registration portal, were imported into the new WENS system.  Anyone that wishes to add, or update, their cell phone to receive emergency notification calls, text messages, emails or the optional weather alerts needs to provide their information here. 

All information provided to the Lake County EMA via the self-registration portal is confidential and will not be shared with anyone for any reason.  It is important that this information is shared with us, so that we may keep you safe in times of emergency.

  • NOAA weather radio -is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
  • News media sources—radio, television and cable. Tune in for information and forecasts. 
  • Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts on the radio or television.    

Emergency Alert System Stations:

WTAM 1100 AM    WCLV 90.3 FM

WKYC TV 3   WEWS TV 5   WJW TV 8   WOIO TV 19   WVIZ TV 25   WUAB TV 43

  • Residential route alerting—messages announced to neighborhoods from vehicles equipped with public address systems.