The sirens are a request for donations for the city’s annual Christmas can and food drive, held on Thursday evening and follows a similar drive in the wider Mosgiel area last night.
Dunedin Central Station Senior Firefighter and event organiser Aimee Taylor had organised the event for about 10 years - it was a "big operation" which ran like clockwork.
Donations ensured food banks had supplies for families in need over Christmas.
About 70 vehicles and about 200 volunteers would be collecting donations around Dunedin city, wider suburbs and East and West Harbour.
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union members would join the drive, as would police, ambulance and civil defence personnel.
Local scout or youth groups were longtime volunteers for the drive; it was a good chance for them to be involved in their community.
Donations should be canned or dry packaged food, not fresh food or cash.
SFF Taylor said residents should not be alarmed at the number of sirens.
"It’s OK if [you] don’t have anything to donate, just stand outside and give our collectors a wave because they love that as well."
Any late donations could be given to Presbyterian Support Services, the Salvation Army or St Vincent de Paul, SFF Taylor said.
The food drive will run from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. Donations can be left in visible spots for collection, such as near letterboxes or by fences.
