City of Westland Emergency Warning System

The Outdoor Emergency Warning System for the City of Westland consists of 10 Whelen High Power WPS-2800 remote siren sites that have been strategically placed to offer coverage throughout the community. The sirens have been used to warn Westland residents and visitors of any impending threat to life and property. The sirens have the ability to produce four tones, and to broadcast a vocal message. The sirens have recently been upgraded (Jan 2011) through a regional grant and we now have the ability to offer messages to the public beyond previous capabilities. Boil water notices, weather warnings specific to festival and park patrons, and police notices can be disseminated. Some of the main threats that may cause the activation of the siren system would be:

• Tornado warning and/or tornado touchdown in Wayne County
• Hazardous Material Spill
• Severe Weather imminent
  
• Flood warning, or any other real threat to the community

When the siren system is activated, the public is advised to go into their homes, turn on the radio and/or television and await information through the Federal EWS (Emergency Warning System) as to the pending threat and steps to take for you and your family's safety. The sirens are located at the following 10 sites:

• Ann Arbor Trail/Bristol
• Edward Hines/Hawthorne
• Wayne/Nankin Blvd
• Laramie/Sorrel
• Hambelton/John Hauk
• Marquette, west of Newburgh at dead end
• Hubbard between Glen/Hazelwood
• Palmer/Harvey
• Palmer/Sarah Lane
• Middlebelt/Powers

  
  

Since the warning system in Westland is an Outdoor warning system, the activation of the sirens may not be heard inside your home. The purpose of this system was to warn people outside to seek shelter indoors. For your protection, you should always be aware of present weather conditions. If the weather looks threatening, turn on a radio or television to keep current on the approaching fronts. A weather alert radio can be purchased to alert you regarding any watches and/or warnings.

The sirens are tested every first Saturday of each month at 12:00 p.m. If you do not hear the siren at this time, please do not call the 911 operators. The Office of Emergency Management phone number is (734) 467-3201. Leave a message, telephone number, and residence location, and the Emergency Management Coordinator will contact you the following Monday to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Emergency Management is currently in the process of servicing all sirens in the city.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security

The City of Westland has a comprehensive Emergency Management plan in cooperation with Wayne County DHSEM (Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Mangement). This plan integrates internal resources and infrastructure along with county resources provided by FEMA grants to mitigate large scale or long term emergency events. The Emergency Warning system and Nixle will be the two main communication avenues to provide information on anything from severe weather events to potential HAZMAT or terrorism activity.

The Wayne County Website is : www.WayneCountyEMD.com

In addition there are resources available to provide information on how to prepare your family for emergency management situations. Several links are provided below to help instruct what to do before and during an emergency.

Department of Homeland Security

Michigan Department of Emergency Mangement

FEMA

The City of Westland has also installed a radio station in the city to provide information to residents in the event of an emergency. This station is located at 1700 on the AM dial.

The City of Westland also has the ability to provide emergency information through cable TV access.

Further information is available from the State of Michigan web site.

Contact Assistant Chief Scott Neal at the Office of Emergency Management at (734) 467-3182 if you have any questions.