Sen. Dodd’s ‘Hi-Lo’ Evacuation Warning Bill Approved by Senate

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today unanimously approved legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help expedite and improve emergency evacuations in disasters such as wildfires by authorizing municipalities across the state to use European-style “hi-lo” sirens in patrol vehicles.

“Thank you to my Senate colleagues for recognizing the value of this important tool to keep people safe,” Sen. Dodd said. “With wildfire season upon us, it’s critical that we are able inform people of the need to evacuate quickly. This siren with its distinctive sound has proven to be indispensable, especially in situations when every second counts.”

Existing law restricts the use of hi-lo sirens. However, a pilot program last year in Napa County showed the warning popularized in England would be highly effective in getting people to flee encroaching wildfires. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office also successfully deployed the technique during the Kincaid Fire. Senate Bill 909 allows all public safety agencies to use hi-lo warnings for evacuation purposes.

It cleared the Senate on a 39-0 vote and moves next to the Assembly.

“SB 909 will greatly assist us in our continuing effort to make communities safer,” Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said. “In both rural and urban settings, this bill will allow law enforcement vehicles to be equipped with a siren to help with the notification and evacuation of our community members in a timely manner.”

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.