The Summit County Sheriff's Office rolled out a loud new safety tool on April 9: a distinct evacuation siren that is different from routine patrol sirens. The tone will come from sheriff's vehicles during critical life-safety emergencies, most commonly to warn neighborhoods to evacuate ahead of fast-moving wildfires. Deputies say they will pair the sound with loudspeaker announcements on scene, spelling out specific directions for residents. Hearing the unique tone should be a cue to pay close attention and be ready to act immediately.
What The Tone Means For Neighborhoods
The sheriff's office posted a short video on April 9 that lets residents hear a sample of the new tone and an example evacuation message. The agency says the sound will signal when an immediate neighborhood evacuation is needed. According to Summit County Sheriff's Office, the new tone will be used during “critical life safety emergencies” and most commonly when neighborhoods must leave quickly, such as fast-moving wildfires.
How To Respond If You Hear It
Officials urge anyone who hears the new hi-lo tone to immediately look for information from official channels and follow instructions from deputies on scene. Deputies will also use vehicle loudspeakers to tell residents where to go.
Per Summit County Emergency Alerts, the county uses the Everbridge platform for time-sensitive messages, and residents are encouraged to sign up so they receive texts, calls or emails during evacuations.
Why Agencies Are Adding Vehicle Sirens
Local agencies across the West have adopted distinct vehicle sirens, often called hi-lo tones, as another way to quickly alert neighborhoods when every second counts, particularly during wildfire season. Reporting from Police1 and the City of Santa Barbara describes the hi-lo tone's intended use and the public messaging around it. Officials describe these rollouts as a supplement to, not a replacement for, existing alert systems.
Summit County officials say the new alert will help quickly notify residents and move people to safety when every second counts. The sheriff's video lets you hear the new tone and shows the sample message, according to Summit County Sheriff's Office, and residents can register for county alerts through Summit County Emergency Alerts.
