Montreal conducting annual emergency siren test Wednesday
Posted October 17, 2023 4:50 pm.
The City of Montreal is conducting its annual emergency siren test Wednesday.
Ten factories across the city will be issuing siren sounds between 9 a.m. and 12:20 p.m.
The city says the test is to raise awareness of industrial risks and to provide safety tips in case of an actual toxic leak.
“The safety of our citizens is a priority,” Alain Vaillancourt, executive committee member responsible for public safety, said in a statement.
The 10 participating factories will sound their alarm one after the other. The sirens will last about three minutes each.
Why is the test important?
The test is used to alert Montrealers of what to do in the event of an actual industrial toxic leak.
During a real situation, alarms would sound and directives would be given to all those in the area.
When the sirens sound, those who are outdoors are urged to seek shelter immediately. During an actual toxic spill, the following instructions will also be given:
- Shut doors and windows and turn off your ventilation system
- Do not pick up your children from school in order to avoid exposure for yourself or your children
- Avoid overloading phone lines
Schools and daycares that are within potentially affected areas have already been informed of the potential of a toxic release, and are aware of safety measures to be taken if the situation were to arise.
To sign up for emergency notices and alerts from the City, click here. More information on risks and preparedness in case of a toxic leak and what to do when you hear the sirens, click here.
