9 factories in Montreal take part in siren test

Don’t be alarmed if you hear a siren going off in your neighbourhood – a siren test will be taking place at nine factories that use hazardous materials, in collaboration with the Centre de sécurité civile de Montréal.

The exercise, taking place between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., aims to make sure the sirens are working properly, as well as evaluate the reaction-time and preparedness of emergency first-responders.

Each siren at the various factories will last three minutes.

• Boeuf Mérite
• Entreprise Indorama PTA Montréal S.E.C. (IVPTA)
• Labatt Breweries
• Molson Coors
• Montreal Suncor Sulphur Plant
• Parmalat Canada Inc.
• Pêcheries Atlantiques
• Saputo Dairy Products (Saint-Laurent and Saint-Leonard complexes)

“Montreal is a proactive city that works to prevent major industrial risks by working with companies and partners on its territory,” explained Anie Samson, Montreal executive committee vice-president responsible for public security.

City officials hope the siren test will reduce the toxic risks associated with a major industrial accident.

The sirens may be heard in the following sectors of Montreal:

• Ahuntsic-Cartierville
• Anjou
• Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
• Côte Saint-Luc
• Lachine
• LaSalle
• Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
• Montreal-East
• Montreal-North
• Montreal West
• Mont-Royal
• Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles
• Saint-Laurent
• Saint-Léonard
• Sud-Ouest
• Ville-Marie

Residents are not required to take any specific action during the siren test.

In case of emergency

In the event of a major industrial incident, there are several emergency steps Montrealers should take note of:

	To avoid inhaling toxic products Go quickly into the closest building.
	To keep toxic products from getting in To protect yourself from outdoor exposure Don’t stay outside or in a vehicle. Close and seal doors and windows and turn off ventilation.
	To find out what to do next, listen to the radio Obey all instructions from authorities.
	To avoid exposing yourself or your children Do not go to pick up your child from school.
	To help emergency workers to do their job Do not make phone calls so that the line is free for emergency workers. Call 911 only if there is an emergency.