Outdoor Warning Siren

Outdoor Warning Siren Information

Thunderbolt Siren No. 2

Pictured here is one of seven outdoor warning sirens located throughout the Village. This siren is located next to the Mokena Public Schools campus on 195th Street.

ABOUT MOKENA'S OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN SYSTEM

The Village of Mokena operates an outdoor warning siren system for use in alerting residents to major emergencies. Although they are used most often to warn of approaching funnel clouds or tornados, they may also be activated for other emergencies such as chemical spills or evacuations.

The Village installed its first siren in the early 1960's. Today there are seven sirens that comprise Mokena's warning siren system. They include the following:

A Federal Signal model 3T22 located on Front Street at the Mokena Police Station.
A Federal Signal model 1003 "Thunderbolt" located on 195th Streeet near the Mokena Public Schools campus. The Village Board is now considering a proposal by the ESDA Director to replace, due to old age, and relocate, to give better warning coverage to the Brightway and Old Castle subdivisions, this siren to 114th Ave. & 197th St. This addition and adjustment would completely cover and modernize the system.
A Federal Signal model 2001DC located on 97th Avenue near 194th Street.
A Federal Signal model 2001DC located on 104th Avenue at 191st Street.
A Federal Signal model 2001DC located at the South Basin Water Tower at 116th Ave. & Lincoln Highway (Rt. 30)
A Federal Signal model 2001DC located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on 191st St. & 114th Ave.
A Federal Signal model 2001DC located at the Corporate Corridors Industrial Park at 192nd St. & 88th Ave.

All sirens on the Villages system have gotten upgrades in 2000 to enhance activation efficiency to the system. Other sirens are added to the system as the Village's population continues to grow.

All of the sirens are capable of producing two signals. These signals are used for two distinct purposes:

3 Minute Steady Blast: This signal is used for all types of emergencies such as funnel cloud or tornado sightings, chemical spills, or evacuations.
3 Minute Up-And-Down Blast: In accordance with Federal guidelines, this signal is used only in the event of a serious national emergency.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HEAR A SIREN SOUNDING

If you hear a siren sounding, you should take immediate action to protect you and your family. You should go indoors and turn your radio to WJOL, 1340 AM or WLLI, 96.7 FM for emergency information or instructions. Other radio or television stations may also broadcast emergency information. It is important that you DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 simply to find out why the sirens are sounding. This only overloads the 9-1-1 circuits for emergency calls. Only call 9-1-1 if you have an emergency where you are.

A WORD ABOUT "ALL CLEAR" SIGNALS

Often times people believe that the sirens are sounded after an emergency has passed to indicate an "all clear". The Village of Mokena DOES NOT issue an "all clear" by activating the sirens. For information on the emergency, including when conditions are no longer threatening, your best source of information is your radio or television. For any questions concerning this information, please call Mokena Emergency Services at . Please follow prompts, leave your name, address and all applicable phone numbers and an ESDA officer wil return your call.