The City and Borough of Sitka uses three methods of alerting and warning citizens.
- Siren or Air Horn with a continual sound for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Broadcasting alert on KCAW (FM) 104.7, KIFW (AM) 1230/KSBZ (FM) 103.1 and CBS/KTNL TV Channel 13-Cable 6.
- Mobile law enforcement and fire department, public address systems.
When the threat to public safety has passed the activating official or designee will contact KCAW (FM) 104.7, KIFW (AM) 1230/KSBZ (FM) 103.1 and CBS/KTNL TV Channel 13-Cable 6 to terminate emergency transmissions.
The Siren Alert and Warning System (SAWS) consists of seven outdoor siren stations throughout the Sitka community which are linked together and connected to the Sitka Fire Department. This is primarily for tsunami warnings but can also be used for alert and warnings in other emergency situations.
The Siren Alert and Warning System has the capability to generate the following tones and functions:
- Attack Tone: Short blasts for three (3) minutes duration
- Wail Tone: Continuous wavering blast for three minutes (3) duration
- Alert Tone: Continuous blast for three (3) minutes duration
- Air Horn: Air horn blast of any length duration
The following tones will be used in the City and Borough of Sitka:
- ALERT THE PUBLIC Alert tone
- WARN THE PUBLIC Public address message
- EVACUATE Attack tone
- ALL CLEAR Air horn followed by Public Address Message