Below is a statement from the City of New Buffalo, Michigan:

Berrien County is converting its emergency alert system from the old siren warning system to a new telephone-style alert system.

These alerts range from weather events to chemical/nuclear accidents. In an emergency, your phone is the place to look.

“IPAWS (FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) will be our all-hazard warning system,” said Kevin Simpson, emergency preparedness manager at DC’s Cook Nuclear Power Plant. “It could be for a tornado or a nuclear event like we had here at Cook.”

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has worked with the DC Cook Nuclear Power Plant to end the use of the old-school sirens that have been in use for years, believing that these sirens are less effective in today’s modern world.

“Our buildings are built with better insulation, so the siren doesn’t always reach inside, whereas IPAWS can reach you whether you’re inside or outside,” Simpson said.

Where you might normally hear a siren without knowing why, the new warning system now tells you what’s going on.

“With wireless emergency alerts, your phone not only alerts you, but also tells you exactly the message we want you to hear,” Simpson said.
It is important that users ensure that they have agreed to receive these new alerts from the new alert system.

“It’s in the settings of any Android or iPhone device,” Simpson said. “When you unsubscribe from the Amber Alert, you’re also disabling all other alerts on your phone, so we recommend that you re-enable them.”

System testing for the new alert system will be conducted on the first Friday of every month to ensure the system will work when needed. Berrien County’s B-WARN! system will also be tested at the same time, and users who wish to receive alerts from B-WARN! can sign up via text, phone or email.

For more information about the new alert system and additional emergency planning tips, see the 2021 Cook Emergency Information Calendar.