Tuesday, August 10, 2010

New emergency sirens to be tested throughout area

As with a test of this nature, the sirens will probably be sounding more than once and at various times. Please spread the word to your family and friends about the testing in order to avoid any undue and unecessary alarm.

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By Mercury Staff

LIMERICK — Exelon Nuclear will begin the testing of new sirens that have been installed over the past few months. The tests are part of a larger project to replace all 165 emergency sirens in the 10 miles around Limerick Generating Station with sirens that include battery back-up.

The first phase of the project began in September 2009.

The testing is scheduled to begin this week with the sirens located in Chester County. Testing will continue in September with the sirens in Montgomery County and conclude in October with the sirens in Berks County.

The individual siren tests may be performed daily from the respective county start date until the end of November 2010.

The typical duration of the testing will be between 15 to 30 seconds and could occur several times in a row. Occasionally, siren activation may last the full three minutes. The siren acoustics will be similar to those of current emergency sirens.

Residents may contact the counties at the following numbers if they have concerns during testing:

Berks County: 610-374-4800

Chester County: 610-344-5000

Montgomery County: 610-631-6530

The new and old sirens will be operable concurrently for a four-month period to ensure they operate properly. Completion of the project and removal of the existing sirens is scheduled for 2011.

This $3.8 million investment around Limerick is part of Exelon Nuclear's commitment to replace and upgrade the emergency sirens at all of the sites in the mid-Atlantic, including Three Mile Island, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, and Oyster Creek Generating Station. This project will involve a total investment of more than $9 million and the replacement of 400 sirens.

"The sirens are an important part of our commitment to the safety of the public," said Bill Maguire, Limerick site vice president. "This significant investment is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that Limerick Generating Station remains a leader in the industry and the community."

The warning sirens are one of several methods used by county emergency management authorities to provide notification of emergencies.

Individual counties may activate the sirens to warn the surrounding community of events such as fires, floods, tornadoes, hazardous material releases or nuclear energy plant events.

http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/08/10/news/srv0000009055313.txt

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