David Hernandez
The San Diego Union-Tribune
(TNS)
A new siren-equipped system in sheriff's and police vehicles across San Diego County will alert communities to evacuation orders during wildfires and other emergencies, law enforcement and fire officials announced Thursday.
When activated, the Hi-Lo system blares looping high- and low-pitched sounds — similar to sirens in Europe — and broadcasts evacuation orders in English and Spanish.
"Our message is very simple: When you hear the Hi-Lo, it is time to go," sheriff's Commander Ricardo Lopez said during a news conference at a county Sheriff's Department facility in Kearny Mesa.
San Diego police Assistant Chief Terence Charlot added: "When you hear the Hi-Lo, it means you are in danger, and you must evacuate immediately."
The news conference was held to educate the public about the new system so community members don't panic or become confused when they hear the Hi-Lo sirens and announcements, Lopez said.
He said the system will be used during evacuation orders prompted by wildfires, earthquakes, bomb threats, gas leaks, SWAT standoffs, chemical spills and other emergencies.
The system was recently installed in Sheriff's Department and San Diego Police Department patrol vehicles. Lopez said other police departments countywide will follow suit. Officials said federal grants will cover the costs.
Some departments will need new equipment to install Hi-Lo. Patrol fleets at other departments, like San Diego police, already are equipped with control panels that allow for a relatively easy software upgrade, officials said.
Agencies use other methods to alert the public about emergency situations, including social media, reverse 911 calls and text messaging. Deputies and officers also go door to door to evacuate residents during emergencies.
"Hi-Lo alerts entire neighborhoods they are in immediate danger," the Sheriff's Department said in a statement. "Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with emergency instructions even when phone lines are not working or there are no internet or mobile networks available."
Charlot said the 2017 wildfires that ravaged Northern California, including Sonoma and Napa counties, made first responders realize a need for a new method to evacuate communities, especially when there's no time for officers or deputies to knock on doors.
In September 2020, a new state law allowed for law enforcement vehicles to be equipped with Hi-Lo to alert the public to evacuation orders.
"As firefighters we have seen the chaos and devastation that can ensue when we have emergencies such as wildfires," said Criss Brainard, chief of San Miguel Fire & Rescue and vice president of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association. "We have all witnessed the importance of an effective warning in times of crisis."
San Diego County has seen many large wildfires in recent years. In 2007, the Witch Creek and Guejito fires — which merged — killed two people and destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in northern San Diego and inland North County. In 2017, the Lilac fire tore through Bonsall, destroying 157 structures and killing more than 45 horses.
"When seconds count," Brainhard said, "Hi-Lo can save lives."
This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.
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