Citizens and visitors along the coast are among the most vulnerable to hazardous weather conditions, including earthquakes and tsunamis.  The COWS is a warning siren system intended to alert visitors and residents to evacuate or seek shelter in an emergency.  The Emergency Management Division of Clatsop County received the sirens and poles from the Oregon Military Department. 

Cannon Beach Fire District worked with Clatsop County many years ago to install a tsunami siren system.  

All costs associated with installation, operation, testing, maintenance, and liability were assumed by CBRFPD.  Costs incurred by the District include battery replacements, setting sirens/posts, and component replacements.  These costs can add up to tens of thousands of dollars and the COWS Maintenance general ledger account is under-funded.  

The age of the system makes it difficult to find parts.  Further, there is labor-intensive effort that has to be placed into the system when broken.  We test the system on a regular basis. 

In 2022 Cannon Beach Fire District transferred operations and maintenance to the City of Cannon Beach. Over the last year the system has deteriorated and has been turned off. The City of Cannon Beach has signed a purchase agreement for a new system and will be completely functional before summer of 2025.