Update #1 & Final: Following preliminary investigation, cause of tsunami siren malfunction identified. 
Valdez Tsunami Siren Malfunction
UPDATE #1 & Final - NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: 12:20 p.m. 11/01/2019
Valdez, AK – The City of Valdez tsunami warning siren system experienced a malfunction late Friday morning.
At approximately 9:53 a.m. Friday, Valdez Police and Fire Dispatch received notification the tsunami warning system had been activated in several locations in the community.
After a preliminary investigation, the Valdez Police Department determined a Petro Star Refinery worker accidently set the tsunami warning system off while troubleshooting an internal facility alarm.
To provide for maximum warning to the community, the City’s tsunami alarm system is configured to allow the Valdez Police Department to simultaneously set off the City’s tsunami siren warning system as well as the Petro Star Refinery siren system. Petro Star is the only facility where the Police Department has this capability.
“Petro Star should not have been able to do the reverse and set the City’s sirens off from their facility,” said Chief Bart Hinkle of the Valdez Police Department. “Technicians from the City’s contract service provider, West Shore Services, are currently troubleshooting why settings in the system allowed a Petro Star employee to accidentally activate the City’s sirens.”
In a real emergency, the tsunami warning would sound like the siren heard Friday morning, followed by a verbal message confirming the emergency and directing residents and visitors to seek higher ground.
Contact: Allie Ferko, Public Information Officer, 907.834.3468 or [email protected]
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ORIGINAL PUBLIC NOTICE - This morning we experienced a malfunction at one or more of our tsunami siren locations.
*There is no real emergency*
A tech is enroute to investigate the issue. Additional information to follow. Your patience is appreciated and we apologize for any confusion the malfunction may have caused.
Feel free to reach out to the public information office with questions or concerns: [email protected] or 907.834.3468.
Instructions:
Tsunami siren malfunction - No real emergency.
Address/Location
Valdez Police Department
212 Chenega Ave
Valdez, AK 99686
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 907-835-4560
Allie Ferko
[email protected]
907-834-3468