Officials preparing to test emergency alert system

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is preparing to activate the emergency alert system this Thursday in conjunction with the public warning siren test at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant.

PEMA will activate the emergency alert system using the local area emergency event code to set off the warning drill.

The alert will broadcast across Luzerne and Columbia Counties.

If you hear sirens Thursday morning and an alert on your devices, don’t be alarmed: it’s only a test.

“At 10:00 a.m., PEMA will be issuing an alert to those in Columbia and Luzerne Counties about a test at 11:00 a.m. from Susquehanna Steam Electric Station that they’ll be testing their sirens, so ours is simply a precautionary test at 10:00 a.m.,” PEMA Executive Deputy Director Jeffery Boyle said.

The test will use public sirens with television and radio broadcasts along with an alert to your cell phone.

These drills are crucial in making sure all systems are working properly in case a real emergency occurs

“Very important to do these tests, to make sure the systems are in working order in case of an actual emergency, to make sure those who are inputting the systems are still proficient in doing that, and just to make sure the public is aware of this alerting capability,” Boyle explained.

The siren drill is for the nuclear power plant near Berwick.

“From PEMA, here from our perspective, we do, do this test once a year. We couple our tests with an actual activity from a powerplant, so this is our opportunity this year Susquehanna Steams going to be testing their sirens so that’s an opportunity for us to test our system as well,” Boyle continued.

In the event sirens go off outside of Thursday’s test, it will be clear to the public to know if it’s a real emergency or not, such as the broadcast you hear for a tornado warning.

“The test itself on August 15 will stress that it is a test, in the case of an actual emergency, the public will wanna pay close attention to the message and also follow any instructions. For example, the system could be used in the case of severe weather and may instruct people to seek shelter immediately,” Boyle added.

Remember, Thursday’s test is just that: A test. No emergency is occurring at the plant.

Emergency officials say this is the only scheduled test for the year.

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