Tacoma Power and the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will conduct a coordinated test of their emergency notification systems at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5. The test should last approximately 90 seconds.
Tacoma Power’s emergency sirens at Ike Kinswa State Park, Mayfield Lake Park and the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery will sound at 11 a.m. and include an announcement of the test.
Lewis County DEM will send two test messages using its new alert notification system. The first will alert users that the siren test is about to begin; the second will announce that the siren test is over.
This notification system has replaced the former Code Red system. Users must register to receive the alerts and may choose to be notified by cell phone, landline, text message and/or email.
“We encourage Lewis County residents and visitors to register as soon as possible so they can receive future notifications,” said Lewis County DEM Coordinator Jim Rich.
People can register by:
- Visiting www.lewiscountywa.gov then clicking the “Lewis County Alert” icon at the bottom of the page.
- Calling (360) 740-1157 to speak with a member of the Lewis County DEM staff.
Both organizations conduct annual system tests, but this year marks the first time they have synchronized their efforts.
“Public safety is our number one priority,” said Tacoma Power Chief Dam Safety Engineer Toby Brewer. “While we have a robust Emergency Action Plan in place, the success of these systems in helping to keep people safe depends on all of us working together.”
People can contact Lewis County DEM at (360) 740-1157 or Tacoma Power at (253) 396-3066 with questions.