Successful test for early-warning siren |16 November 2009
It can broadcast various sounds for different emergencies, such as strong winds, heavy rain with the potential to flood or a tsunami, and can also be used as a public address system for pre-recorded or live messages.
Made by the German-based Sircom company and donated to Seychelles for the pilot project, the siren is the first of its kind in the African region.
The company has made similar sirens for countries such as the US, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey and the Caribbean islands.
The Department of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) had the task of setting up the system, and its director general Michel Vielle said Anse Royale was chosen as the best location for the first siren.
“Anse Royale was chosen for two reasons, the first being its topography since most of its infrastructure is located on the coast, including schools, university, churches, police station and banks, and it is more vulnerable to hazards such as a tsunami,” he said.
“Secondly, the residents here showed an exceptional interest in and support for setting up such a system, since their district was one of those most badly hit in the 2004 tsunami.”
Several partners of the DRDM were present at the siren’s installation, including the Fire Brigade, Red Cross Society Seychelles and Meteorological Office.
The siren can be activated from its base at the school and also from any location on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue that has network coverage. An effective security system with various passwords has been put in place to avoid accidental or malicious triggering of the siren.
It runs on mains electricity but also has two back-up batteries, each able to last a week without charging.
Mr Vielle said a series of educational programmes will start soon to tell the public which sound goes with which hazard, and also what to do in such emergencies.
The system will be tested again, but the public will be told when it is a test and when it is the real thing.
If the project is successful, eight more sirens will be installed in vulnerable places such as Providence, Beau Vallon, Victoria and on Praslin and La Digue.