Test sirens: Montreal companies to test alarms Wednesday

Don't worry: it's just a test.

If you live or work in Montreal, you may have heard the warning bells on Wednesday.

As part of the annual training exercise, ten companies take turns sounding emergency sirens for three minutes each.

Sirens go off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to simulate a toxic chemical release event.

In the event of an emergency, the sound will signal people to take the following actions:

• Quickly enter the nearest building
• Close doors, windows and ventilation
• Do not pick up children from school to avoid putting yourself or your children at risk
• Avoid blocking phone lines
• Follow the instructions of the authorities

According to a press release from the City of Montreal, those responsible for potential schools and kindergartens (CPE) in Montreal are aware of this type of incident and know the safety measures to be taken in the event of a leak.

“Therefore, they can take care of children and ensure their well-being in such a situation,” the report said.

The test aims to ensure that the equipment is working properly and to educate nearby residents on how to protect themselves.

“The safety of our citizens is a priority and the public must be ready to react in the event of a toxic product release. That is why we are actively working together with industry by coordinating technical tests to raise awareness among residents in potentially affected areas,” explained the public at the executive committee of Montreal. Alain Vaillancourt in charge of security.