Pierce County officials are investigating the cause for the failure of the first test of the newly upgraded lahar siren system. During a test at 10 a.m. today, the electronic status board showed that the system was functioning, but there was no audible sound from the sirens. “We’re working with the vendor to find out where the issue is, and to get it corrected immediately,” said Steve Bailey, director of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. “Preliminary testing over the past couple of months indicated no problems with the system. This is the very reason we conduct these tests.”

During the 2008 Legislative Session, Pierce County received funds to replace, upgrade and connect the lahar sirens along the Puyallup Valley, so they can be tested and launched from a single location.

The locations of the new and upgraded sirens are:

I. Fife

— Fife Public Works, 3725 Pacific Hwy.

— Pump Station, 2100 Pacific Hwy.

— Emerald Queen Casino, 5700 Pacific Hwy.

— 70th Ave E, 70th Ave. E. and 43rd St. E.

II. Orting

— Pump Station S. side of Orting, 18711 SR 162

— City Hall, 110 Train St.

— Ptarmigan Ridge School, 805 Old Pioneer

— Soldiers Home, 1301 Orting Kapowsin Hwy. E.

III. Orting/McMillan

— McMillan Area, 13102 SR-162

IV.Puyallup

— Puyallup Fair and Events Center, 110 9th Ave. S.W.

— Linden Golf & Country Club, 2519 E. Main

— Fire Station Headquarters, 902 7th St. N.W.

— Pump Station/Methodist Church,1919 W. Pioneer

V. Riverside

— Chief Leschi High School, 5625 52nd St. E.

VI. Sumner/Alderton

— McAlder Elementary, 15502 96th St. E.

VII. Sumner

— Sumner High School, 1707 Main St.

— Sumner Industrial District North, 24th St. E. and 142nd Ave. E.