Citywide Emergency Siren System

Fort Saskatchewan operates three emergency sirens located across the city. These sirens are in place to alert residents of emergencies, such as:

  • Severe weather events, including droughts, windstorms, snow or ice storms, hail, rainstorms or tornadoes;
  • Wildfires;
  • Power Outages;
  • Pipeline or container ruptures;
  • Dangerous good spills, fire and or explosions.

Don't forget to sign up for Fort Sask Alerts and be the first to get notifications on timely information.

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Testing the sirens

Residents will hear the City testing the emergency siren system a couple of times throughout the year:

  • once in the spring during Emergency Preparedness Week;
  • once in the fall during Fire Prevention Week; and
  • on an as-needed basis while doing system maintenance.

Types of advisories and alerts

Although the consequences of various disasters can be similar, knowing the risks can help you better prepare. Some may require an evacuation and others may mean we have to stay in our homes.

1. Shelter in place

This means you must remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there. Having a Ready-to-Stay Kit is important to make your shelter-in-place more comfortable.

  • Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
  • Turn off all fans, heating and AC units systems to avoid drawing in the air from the outside.
  • Go to an interior room that’s above ground level, if possible, one without windows.
  • Have a Ready-to-Stay Kit including a battery or crank radio, cell phone, charger, and your computer if possible.
  • Use duct tape, or another wide tape, to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
  • Monitor your radio or social media until safe to leave or evacuate.

2. Evacuation

Stage one – Evacuation Alert

  • Emergency officials will notify you through the various channels – websites, social media, Fort Sask Alerts, etc., of the potential need to evacuate.
  • Information will be provided on the nature of the hazard.
  • An evacuation alert is given to provide you the opportunity to prepare yourself and your home in case of an evacuation.

Stage two – Evacuation Order

There are two types of evacuation orders:

  • Voluntary – is issued when officials believe that the public safety may be at risk.
  • Mandatory Evacuation Order – is issued when officials believe that the public safety may be at risk and conditions are such that the City is not able to provide its typical level of service. Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe that you may be in danger. When a mandatory evacuation order is issued, you must evacuate the affected area immediately.

Stage three – All Clear

  • Once the danger has passed, you will be officially told you can return to the area.

In case of an Emergency – General things to do