If you hear a loud, steady siren for three to five minutes:
Go indoors and tune to a local radio or television station. Stay tuned and listen for important information and instructions!

If you are at home, go to your neighbors and make sure they are aware of any emergency warning and related emergency actions.

Tune to Marine Channel 16 for emergency information if you are at sea.

Only call (805) 543-2444 if you urgently need information or transportation assistance during an evacuation. The County Office of Emergency Services activates this phone line only when there is an emergency that affects large numbers of people in the county.

If sirens sound and there is no message on the EAS stations, there may have been a siren malfunction. Please report siren malfunctions to the Sheriff's Department at (805) 781-4553.

Do Not:
Do not call 911! 911 is an emergency line for people who need urgent medical, fire, or police help. Using 911 for information ties up the system and may delay help for someone who needs it.

Do not leave the area unless you are told to do so over the Emergency Alert System.

Do not use your telephone unless you need to call for help.

Do not call local police, fire, or sheriff's offices unless you need their immediate help during an emergency. Please leave telephone lines open and emergency personnel available for people who need immediate lifesaving help.

Visitors or People Away From Home
People will hear the sirens if they are in the Emergency Planning Zone (click to view map). Signs are posted in public areas to explain what the sirens mean.