The sound of sirens

For all new arrivals who wonder why we frequently hear sirens on the CEA site, here are the answers. Every Thursday at 13h00 there is a general alert test for the CEA Centre that starts with an intermittent sound and ends with a continuous alarm. In case of an emergency, you should stay indoors or enter the nearest building; close all windows and doors; and follow the instructions given over the loudspeakers. If required, take out the emergency mask and suit provided at the entrance of each building and put them on. If there are newcomers or visitors around, please help them. Use the telephone for safety purposes only.

So far, so good. If it's not Thursday but Wednesday and you hear a siren at midday, do not worry!! This is another test alarm that is turned on precisely at noon every first Wednesday of the month. It's part of the Particular Intervention Plan (PPI) to alert the people living in the neighbourhood of Cadarache in the event of a nuclear accident at the CEA Centre.