Do you know what a siren with high decibel levels and voice commands indicates? It signals there is an emergency on the island.

Early warning systems play an important role in disaster preparedness as the systems can foster disaster risk reduction by ensuring there’s timely warning of a hazard or disaster threat.

On the island, Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) conducts regular testing of four Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems on the first Thursday of each month to ensure the systems work, should there be a real emergency. The systems are located at high-risk locations including Crown Point, Fort King George, Scarborough, Feeder Road, Canaan, and Bon Accord.

The solar powered Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems notify the public of disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes. When the testing occurs, the voice command could be heard repeating ‘This is a test,’ as no evacuation is required and the public should not be alarmed.

“We can send pre-recorded audio alerts like sirens of a particular type that give a particular alert. For example, there is a tsunami warning alert,” TEMA Radio Operator Curtis Roberts said.

He indicated that the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems were initially designed to alert the public about the threats emerging from the sea.

As communication remains crucial in any disaster response, the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems not only enable people to become more aware, but can help mitigate a disaster from becoming a tragedy.