NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas Allman has announced the implementation of the use of a “hi-lo” siren in sheriff's office patrol vehicles.

In January, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office introduced the hi-lo siren in its vehicles, as Lake County News has reported.

During a major emergency there may be a time where people need to safely evacuate their residence or the area where the emergency is occurring.

This is a situation that has occurred over the last two years with wildland fires in Mendocino County.

The hi-lo siren is a new way for the sheriff's office to notify individuals that an evacuation is imminent and steps should be taken to leave the area.

For more information please visit www.mendocinosheriff.com or www.mendocinocounty.org/mendoalert .

Sheriff Allman explains the use of the hi-lo siren in a public service announcement here: https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoSheriff/videos/vb.256614137966/935273690147737/?type=2&theater .