Alert Notification System
In 2008, Entergy completed a $30 million upgrade to its alert notification system. There are two primary components that will help alert the public of an emergency: 1) there are 172 sirens that will sound within the 10-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) which serves as an outdoor alert, and 2) there is a reverse dial system-CodeRED-which will notify residents via phone.
New sirens audio.
Both methods of notification are to prompt residents and businesses in the EPZ to tune into one of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) stations (local TV and radio) to receive information and instructions related to the emergency.
In addition to these two methods of notification the State of New York also offers a service called NY-Alert which is a hazard alert system that issues important emergency information on issues you select; Indian Point is one of these options. They can issue messages via email, text message, phone calls, etc. We encourage all residents to sign up for NY-Alert (http://www.nyalert.gov.)
An Overview of the Indian Point Alert Notification System
The Indian Point Energy Center's Siren Alert Notification System (ANS) is the most technologically advanced system in the country. There are two actions that occur when this system is activated in an emergency situation: sirens will sound and Code-RED (a reverse dial phone system) will activate. To further enhance Communications efforts in an emergency, some residents and businesses qualified for a tone alert radio, but all residents are encouraged to sign up for the NY-Alert system.
Sirens
The sirens are an outdoor alert mechanism to make residents within the 10 mile emergency planning zone (EPZ) that they need to tune into one of the emergency alert system (EAS) radio and television stations for important information.
In the event of a true emergency, the dozen or more local broadcast stations that serve the EPZ would interrupt programming to provide the alert and necessary “next step” information to residents. You can find a complete list of EAS stations in the emergency planning handbook distributed by your county. You can also access them on our website at http://www.safesecurevital.org/emergency-preparedness.
There are 172 sirens in Indian Point's system — 16 more than the previous system — covering an additional 60 square miles and possessing full diagnostic capabilities to ensure emergency planners are aware of any system faults or failures. This 172 total includes 77 in Westchester; 56 in Rockland; 23 in Orange; 16 in Putnam County. The cost of the advanced, new system was approximately $30 million.
There are several ways to activate the system, including: radio signal, cell phone and an internet-based method. The alert system also has back-up power supplies for each and every component, including the sirens themselves. Each siren is battery driven to ensure operation-even during a local power outage-as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and orders issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The sirens have no rotating or moving parts, greatly reducing the chance of mechanical failure, can be activated and communicated via three pathways versus one pathway in the old system, and are mounted on steel poles versus wood.
One of the many benefits of our siren system is the ability to test and monitor the performance of each siren, and the communications to them, in a manner that is virtually inaudible to residents — it's called silent testing. During a silent test, the public may hear the new sirens make a popping sound followed by a high-pitched tone, similar to turning on a speaker.
The sirens are tested periodically throughout the year to ensure that they would work in the event of an emergency. Siren tests are announced in advance through local news media.
The sirens are not a signal to evacuate. They are a signal to turn on your radio or television and tune in to an EAS station near you.
OFFICES OF EMERGENCY PLANNING
Entergy is always available to answer questions you have regarding emergency planning through our website (www.safesecurevital.com) or our siren project hotline (1-800-986-5106). However, for your reference, contact information for individual county emergency planning offices are provided below.
- Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services: 1-800-942-1457
- Westchester County Office of Emergency Management: 1-800-942-1452
- Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services: 1-800-942-1450
- Orange County Department of Emergency Services: 1-845-615-0400
- State of New York Disaster Preparedness Commission: 1-518-292-2312