San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department unveils new 'Hi-Lo' siren for emergencies

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department vehicles have been outfitted with new two-tone "Hi-Lo" siren systems to better alert the community of evacuations orders and other vital information in case of emergency, officials said.

The siren, which alternates between a high pitch and a low pitch, sounds different that the normal siren sound county residents are accustomed to hearing from police vehicle, ambulances and fire trucks, Cpl. Natthaniel Campos said.

Sheriff's officials will continue to use telephonic and digital messages to convey emergency information, but the new system will complement it, as well as provide a backup option if telecommunication services go down in an emergency, he explained.

''The Hi-Lo warning sounds will only be used in an emergency when there is imminent danger to the public," according to Campos. "If you hear this Hi-Lo warning sound, you are in immediate danger and you need to evacuate your house, or the area you are in, immediately."

The tone will be accompanied by further information or instructions in both English and Spanish, officials added.

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Campos said the system has proven valuable when employed by other law enforcement agencies.

"The Hi-Lo warning sound was successfully used in multiple counties across California," he said. "The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is dedicated to your safety and we are proud to implement this new system."

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Sheriff unveils new 'Hi-Lo' siren to warn of county emergencies