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1. How does the City of West Fargo test the warning siren system?

The Red River Regional Dispatch Center conducts monthly audible tests of sirens across the metro at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. The siren system is also silently tested at 9 a.m. daily to check rotation, radio communication, batteries, amplifiers and other system features. Additional testing includes:

• Full diagnostic system tests before active summer weather in the spring.
• An audible test of the system in June.
• Preventative maintenance in the fall that can include silent and/or audible testing. 

Before all audible testing the City of West Fargo will notify residents with a press release and announcement on social media and website.

2. What happened to the daily noon whistle?

Beginning Monday, Feb. 19, the City of West Fargo will no longer sound the warning siren at noon each weekday. This change is consistent with emergency management best practices, which call for periodic audible testing instead of daily audible tests. Daily soundings have been found to dilute the effectiveness of the warning system. The last day of the daily noon whistle will be Friday, Feb. 16.

The Red River Regional Dispatch Center will continue to have the monthly audible tests at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month throughout the metro. The siren system is also silently tested daily at 9 a.m. to check rotation, radio communication, batteries, amplifiers and other system features. Additional testing includes full diagnostic system tests before active summer weather in the spring, an audible test of the system in June and preventative maintenance in the fall that can include silent and/or audible testing. Before all audible testing the City of West Fargo will notify residents with a press release and announcement on social media and website.

3. When is the warning siren system used?

The Red River Regional Dispatch Center is responsible for setting off all warning siren systems in the metro area for severe summer weather. It also has the capability of using the warning sirens in emergencies that require residents to shelter in place, such as chemical spills.

When warning sirens are sounded, it is to signal residents to go indoors immediately – no matter the weather conditions – and check a local resource for announcements. Recommended resources include Cass Clay Alerts; @CityofWestFargo on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor; @WestFargoPolice on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor; email or text message alerts from the City of West Fargo’s website; or news media websites and apps.

4. What should I do when I hear the warning siren?

When warning sirens are sounded, it is to signal residents to go indoors immediately – no matter the weather conditions – and check a local resource for announcements. Recommended resources include Cass Clay Alerts; @CityofWestFargo on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor; @WestFargoPolice on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor; email or text message alerts from the City of West Fargo’s website; or news media websites and apps. 

Please note that the warning siren is tested at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month by the Red River Regional Dispatch Center throughout the metro and cities may conduct periodic testing of the system. Before all audible testing, except the monthly 1 p.m. Wednesday test, the City of West Fargo will notify residents with a press release and announcement on social media and website.