Civil Defense to test new siren system

Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah will launch the new siren system introduced by the Civil Defense Department for Jeddah and Thuwal on Monday.
The department has set up 290 sirens across the city to warn the public against possible hazards during an emergency.
“The experimental launch of the sirens will take place at 5 p.m. and will continue for 10 to 15 minutes,” said Col. Saeed Sarhan, director of the department’s public relations and information in the Makkah region.
Messages in Arabic and English will be sent to mobile phones before the sirens are activated, he said. “These messages are to inform the public that it is just a trial and that there is no need for panic,” he said. The system has three control centers, but only one will be used during the drill, he said.
Sarhan said the drill was planned to test the system and measure how far its sound travels and will include alerts for different situations.
Meanwhile, Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman will launch World Civil Defense Day at the Cultural Activity Hall of Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Sports City on Monday.
The Civil Defense Department will join other countries in marking the international event under the theme “toward a secure community.”
The governor will launch the department’s “Safety Friends” program on the sidelines of the event that is expected to witness the participation of different segments of society. It will feature several exhibitions, including one at the Civil Defense headquarters and a children’s exhibition at Al-Rashed Mall.
Lectures suitable for students of different educational levels will be delivered and awareness messages displayed through media outlets and at markets, universities, schools and parks.

Gen. Zuhair Ahmad Subaih, Civil Defense director in Madinah, called on the public to support the department by adhering to safety regulations. He said the department’s celebration of the event is aimed at strengthening individual social responsibility in improving awareness of living safely and rejecting violations of safety precautions.