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Naval Station Everett Upgrades Outdoor Speaker System
EVERETT, Wash. – Naval Station Everett’s outdoor speaker system, which is used for important base announcements and emergency notification, is being upgraded this summer. The work will include a retrofit of the existing wireless system, installation of new speakers, and sound testing. The project was contracted to SSC Pacific and starts this week.
The system will be retrofitted with newer electronic equipment. The new equipment will project audio signals directly to all speakers in the system at once, resulting in fewer signal delays between speakers and a more unified sound. Older speaker towers will be removed at the main base, reducing the number of speakers from 10 to six. In addition, new outdoor speakers will be added to the Navy Family Support Complex in Smokey Point and Naval Radio Station Jim Creek in Arlington.
Brief testing of the new system’s audio function will occur throughout the project as work is completed. Final sound testing of the whole system is scheduled to occur between July 31 and Aug 2. The system testing will be conducted during the work week between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
During testing, the sounds heard at intervals may include voice announcements, audio recordings, white noise, and sirens. Sounds may range from low growls, static noise, single tones, and extended tones. Volumes will vary from low to high, with brief high volume sounds. Sound levels will be monitored to ensure it meets Navy and FEMA standards for emergency notifications and design specifications.
The outdoor speakers are part of the U.S. Navy’s Mass Warning and Notification System (Wide Area Alert Network). They are required to communicate emergency alerts with Navy personnel and those within earshot who are not able to receive other means of notification. In addition to emergency notification, all Navy installations are mandated to play the national anthem and observe daily hoisting and lowering of the national ensign at 8 a.m. and again at sunset.
Naval Station Everett intends to reduce the impact of this system upgrade to neighboring communities where possible, while maintaining the ability to meet mass warning notification system requirements. We thank the community for their continued support and understanding.
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