Kelly Rae, Public Affairs, 509-372-5376
Carla Martinez, Public Affairs, 509-372-5156
RICHLAND, Wash. – Energy Northwest, in partnership with emergency response officials from Benton and Franklin County Emergency Management, and the Department of Energy, will conduct annual siren tests Thursday, Oct. 15, between 10 a.m. and noon.
Testing will include sirens along the Columbia and Yakima rivers and in portions of Benton and Franklin counties within about 10 miles of the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant. The siren test will be heard throughout these areas and along the Columbia River between the Vernita Bridge and Leslie Groves Park in north Richland. Sirens will also be heard at the Horn Rapids Off-Road Vehicle Park and recreational areas near Horn Rapids, at Columbia Generating Station and adjoining areas.
Officials will test the siren system multiple times, and each test will be preceded and followed by voice announcements confirming the siren activation is part of a test. Energy Northwest representatives may be located near each siren to confirm proper operation. Periodic siren tests are conducted to test emergency equipment and train workers on emergency response procedures.
No public response is required during these tests.
Additionally, there will be a test of the Emergency Alert System at mid-morning on Thursday. In an actual emergency, county officials would activate the Emergency Alert System and broadcast information to the public over local radio and television stations. The sirens located in the areas previously described would also activate in the unlikely event of an actual emergency. Residents with questions about these tests should contact their county’s emergency management officials. In Benton County, call (509) 628-2600; in Franklin County, call (509) 545-3546.
Benton and Franklin counties will also test CodeRED, an emergency telephone notification system, Oct. 15 in the areas within a 10-mile radius of Columbia Generating Station. This system allows residents in Benton and Franklin counties to be notified personally in the unlikely event of an emergency. Residents can sign up for this free notification service by clicking on the CodeRED logo at these websites:
About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest owns and operates a diverse mix of 100% clean electricity generating resources: hydro, solar and wind projects, and the third-largest provider of electricity in Washington – the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power facility. These projects provide carbon-free electricity at the cost of generation – enough clean, cost-effective and reliable energy to power more than a million homes each year. As an independent joint operating agency of Washington state, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million customers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.