Outdoor Warning Siren System

The Village of Itasca and the Itasca Fire Protection District operate an outdoor warning siren system designed to alert people who are outdoors when severe weather or an emergency is approaching. The sirens provide an added layer of warning for anyone who may not be near a phone, radio, or television.

How the System Works

The system includes three rotating, high-power sirens placed at strategic points throughout the community:

• Water tower at Ardmore Avenue & District Drive

• Water tower on Prospect Avenue north of Thorndale Avenue

• South end of Lombard Road

When You Will Hear the Sirens

Outdoor warning sirens activate only for significant weather emergencies, including tornado warnings or life-threatening conditions. When activated during an emergency, the siren will sound continuously for three minutes, signaling you to:

• Go indoors immediately

• Seek shelter on the lowest level of your home

• Move to an interior room away from windows

• Monitor TV, radio, or trusted weather sources for updates

There is no all-clear signal, so rely on official weather updates to know when the danger has passed. Please do not call 911 to ask why sirens are sounding.

Monthly Testing

To ensure reliability, the sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m., weather permitting. The standard test pattern includes:

• 1 minute of steady tone

• 1 minute of silence

• 1 minute of wavering tone

If severe weather is present or expected, the test will be postponed.

These monthly tests help confirm the system is working properly and help residents recognize the sound of the sirens in the event of a real emergency.