Aligning our Emergency Warning System (EWS) to the Australian Warning System
The Australian Warning System provides nationally consistent warnings to Australian communities so that people know what to do when they hear a warning siren. This project is an opportunity to review the current process of when each siren level is sounded, and what action the community should take. The EWS siren tones will remain the same.
City of Moreton Bay has worked with Queensland Fire Department (QFD), Rural Fire Service (RFS), Queensland Police Service (QPS), and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to develop two options for the community to decide on the calls to action related to the siren tones.
The siren is just one tool to provide warning to the community but should not be relied upon in isolation. Other tools which provide warnings in relation to bushfire include:
- Roadside Fire Danger Rating (FDR) signage,
- MoretonAlert SMS, email and voice messages,
- Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) notifications,
- Queensland Fire Department (QFD) Bushfire Warnings,
- Emergency Alerts and messages from media outlets including with the use of the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS),
If BOM has advised a fire danger rating of extreme or catastrophic for the Southeast Coast a MoretonAlert will be issued to registered residents prior to the activation of the EWS siren. FDR boards will also be updated to reflect the level of risk to the area.
The two options for siren meanings
We want your feedback on the two options shown below.
In Option 1, the first siren is sounded when there is a bushfire incident nearby but poses no threat to residents and visitors.
In Option 2, the first siren is sounded when residents and visitors need to take action in response to a bushfire threat.
The siren tones will remain the same.
Consider each option, then complete the short survey below to let us kow what you think.
Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 14 July 2025.
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Note: QFD, RFS, QPS and QPWS all prefer Option 2.
Option 1
In this option the siren is sounded when there is an incident in the nearby vicinity but poses no threat to residents and visitors. This could mean the siren would sound regularly while there is no threat, potentially creating siren fatigue and complacency.
Option 2
This option ensures the siren is only sounded when residents and visitors need to take action. This option also provides clarity at the Emergency Warning level of when they should leave immediately or if they need to shelter in place as it’s too dangerous to leave. All emergency services prefer Option 2.
Have your say
Consider both options for siren meanings, then let us know what you think. Consultation closes 5pm on Monday 14 July 2025.
You can share your thoughts by:
- Completing the 5 minute survey below
- Emailing yoursay@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
- Calling Council on 3205 0555 and asking for the Community Engagement team
- By post (no stamp required)
Community Engagement Team
City of Moreton Bay
Replay Paid 159
Caboolture Qld 4510
