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News RAF Croughton
Sqn Ldr G Wyeth has advised the Parish
Council of the Base’s plans for use of
the Tannoy System at Caversfield.
The Giant Voice system is used to
provide situational awareness of Station
issues to its personnel during exercises
and real time emergency events.
Further, the system provides a facility
to broadcast the UK and US National
Anthems during daily Retreat ceremonies
(lowering of the US and UK flags).
Retreat ceremonies are only broadcast at
Royal Air Force Croughton and performed
on weekdays, except UK and US holidays,
at 1600 hours and 1700 hours during
Daylight Saving periods.
The proposed operation of the Tannoy
System at Caversfield is:
Proposed operation - Noise output at the
point of origin will be no more than 60
decibels in all directions. Tests to be
carried out at a level of 60 decibels
once per month. Testing consisting of a
20-30 second solid tone followed by a
voice announcement stating that it is
only a test of the system.
Clearly, should the system be needed for
real in the event of an emergency then
it will broadcast. Testing of the
system is essential to its
effectiveness. Previously the Base used
a silent test feature to ascertain
system status without actual sounding of
the siren. When the system was called
on to do its job after the London
bombings of 7 July 2005, the system
failed to operate in most locations even
though the silent tests showed the
system operational. To prevent this
from happening with the new system, a
monthly sounding schedule was devised
and coordinated with the local council
in December 2006.
The speakers are designed to project 60
decibels at optimal conditions; however
poor weather and low wattage can reduce
this to 50 decibels. These tests are
performed on the first Thursday of each
month and consist of a 20-30 second
solid tone followed by a voice
announcement stating that this is only a
test of the system. Scheduled
broadcasts (e.g. tests and exercises)
are notified to neighbouring residents,
Parish Councils and District Councils.
The dates of testing are listed below -
the time refers to the window within
which the test will be conducted, not
the length of test.
Thursday, 7 Jun 07, 1300 to 1600
Thursday, 5 Jul 07, 1300 to 1600
Thursday, 2 Aug 07, 1300 to 1600
Thursday, 6 Sep 07, 1300 to 1600
Thursday, 4 Oct 07, 1300 to 1600
Thursday, 1 Nov 07, 1300 to 1600
Thursday, 6 Dec 07, 1300 to 1600
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