City of Fredericktown Warning Siren Guidelines
Warning Siren
In the event of emergencies, the City uses a warning siren system to quickly alert residents to "take cover." The City uses one type of signal to warn residents of impending natural disasters, such as tornadoes, severe storms, and other emergency situations. Warning sirens consist of a continuous siren wail for three minutes. If the threat continues or worsens the siren may sound again. Siren tests are conducted on a monthly schedule to ensure the City’s public warning system is operating properly. Test sirens may be heard on the first Monday of every month at approximately 11:00 a.m. and lasts for one minute.
What is the purpose of a warning siren?
The City’s warning siren system provides notification of extreme weather conditions that have the potential to cause extensive property damage and severe injuries, such as a tornado. Also, the siren is used in the event a warning is issued from the Department of Homeland Security. The siren provides warning to people who are away from radio and television transmissions, and attending or participating in outdoor activities.
How often is the warning siren tested?
Siren tests are conducted on a monthly schedule on the first Monday of every month at approximately 11:00 a.m.
What sounds do test sirens make?
During normal test conditions warning sirens consist of a Westminster Chime for one minute followed by a “This has been a test message”
What action do I take if the siren is activated?
The action to be taken during a siren's activation is "take cover" by seeking a predetermined location in your home (basement or area without many windows).
How do I know when the emergency situation is under control?
Please tune into local television and/or radio situations for updates. The warning siren will not sound to indicate that the emergency situation has passed.
Who do I contact during siren activation?
Do not call 9-1-1 when the siren sounds unless you have a true emergency. To obtain information, please use one of the sources identified below.
What other methods can residents use to be notified of emergencies?
We strongly urge you to purchase a tone-alert, AC-DC Weather Radio – a radio that is designed to receive broadcasts from the local National Weather Service office. This is the best source of “Indoor Warning” you can have. Once you get a weather radio, you can program it to alert you of any watches or warnings in your area. We also recommend purchasing a weather radio that has SAME technology.
Why Weather Radios?
Do you have a smoke detector? Of course - it alerts you when it detects smoke. Weather radios alert you to many other immediate, life-threatening hazards in your area, like weather, tsunamis, volcanos, hazardous releases, and other dangerous events.
Without a weather radio, you could miss a critical warning message from local emergency authorities that could save your life and those in your family.
Weather Radios should be as common as smoke detectors in homes and businesses statewide to help protect lives and property from natural and technological hazards.
Chief John Clark
Fredericktown Fire Department
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do the guidelines say?
Under the City of Fredericktown area outdoor warning system guidelines, sirens will be sounded for:
· Tornadoes
· Thunderstorms with winds 70 mph or greater (potential for whole trees to snap or uproot), or
· Golf ball sized hail or larger (potential for windows to break).
The same tone will be used for all threats in the community, and the sirens may be sounded multiple times if the threat is extended or of an actual sighting. There will be no all-clear signal from sirens.
2. What should I do when I hear the sirens?
When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.
3. When are sirens tested?
Sirens will be tested simultaneously on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 AM
4. Why don’t the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal?
People should be indoors and monitoring local media for updates on the storm.
5. Why will the outdoor warning sirens be sounded for hail and wind?
When thunderstorm winds exceed 70 mph, trees can be uprooted or snapped. Hail that is golf ball sized or larger can break windows. Both of these things pose a direct risk to life if people are caught outdoors.
6. How often can I expect the sirens to sound for severe weather?
On average, the Fredericktown area experiences 5 storms each year that meet the siren guidelines.
7. Why were the guidelines developed?
When life-threatening weather is approaching, minutes or even seconds could make a difference. If people are unsure or confused about an alert, they may not respond quickly or appropriately. By adopting common outdoor warning system guidelines, confusion will be eliminated, response time will be reduced, and lives will be saved.
8. How were the guidelines developed?
Emergency management officials from the community developed the guidelines together in cooperation with the National Weather Service. Input on the draft guidelines was also sought from dispatch centers from the surrounding areas.
9. Why can’t I hear the sirens in my house?
Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.
10. How can I get alerts when I’m at work or in my house?
For alerts indoors, every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action.
11. Will the sirens warn me of every dangerous storm?
The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media.
13. Where can I read the guidelines?
The outdoor warning siren guideline document and other information is available on the Fredericktown Fire Department web site at www.fredericktownfire.com
14. Who activates the sirens?
Sirens are typically activated by the Madison County Dispatch Center after receiving notification from NOAA Weather. The sirens may also sound due to reports from police or fire department or emergency management personnel. Check with your city or county officials to learn more.
15. How can I get more information?
NOAA Weather Radio www.weather.gov/nwr
Under the City of Fredericktown area outdoor warning system guidelines, sirens will be sounded for:
· Tornadoes
· Thunderstorms with winds 70 mph or greater (potential for whole trees to snap or uproot), or
· Golf ball sized hail or larger (potential for windows to break).
The same tone will be used for all threats in the community, and the sirens may be sounded multiple times if the threat is extended or of an actual sighting. There will be no all-clear signal from sirens.
2. What should I do when I hear the sirens?
When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.
3. When are sirens tested?
Sirens will be tested simultaneously on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 AM
4. Why don’t the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal?
People should be indoors and monitoring local media for updates on the storm.
5. Why will the outdoor warning sirens be sounded for hail and wind?
When thunderstorm winds exceed 70 mph, trees can be uprooted or snapped. Hail that is golf ball sized or larger can break windows. Both of these things pose a direct risk to life if people are caught outdoors.
6. How often can I expect the sirens to sound for severe weather?
On average, the Fredericktown area experiences 5 storms each year that meet the siren guidelines.
7. Why were the guidelines developed?
When life-threatening weather is approaching, minutes or even seconds could make a difference. If people are unsure or confused about an alert, they may not respond quickly or appropriately. By adopting common outdoor warning system guidelines, confusion will be eliminated, response time will be reduced, and lives will be saved.
8. How were the guidelines developed?
Emergency management officials from the community developed the guidelines together in cooperation with the National Weather Service. Input on the draft guidelines was also sought from dispatch centers from the surrounding areas.
9. Why can’t I hear the sirens in my house?
Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.
10. How can I get alerts when I’m at work or in my house?
For alerts indoors, every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action.
11. Will the sirens warn me of every dangerous storm?
The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media.
13. Where can I read the guidelines?
The outdoor warning siren guideline document and other information is available on the Fredericktown Fire Department web site at www.fredericktownfire.com
14. Who activates the sirens?
Sirens are typically activated by the Madison County Dispatch Center after receiving notification from NOAA Weather. The sirens may also sound due to reports from police or fire department or emergency management personnel. Check with your city or county officials to learn more.
15. How can I get more information?
NOAA Weather Radio www.weather.gov/nwr
MADISON COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Madison County Emergency Management Team Questions or Assistance? Becky Hunt, EMD 783-2747; 783-1131
Madison County has many means of emergency notification that citizens have available to utilize for their family’s protection during weather events.
Weather Alert Radio: The best means of warning is for families to have a weather alert system in the home. This system is available for $20-$50. The alert system must be labeled for S.A.M.E. programming and be programmed so you will only receive alerts for the areas you choose. The alert system must be placed in an area of the home you will hear it, at all hours, with the overnight hours being the most crucial.
Outdoor Warning Sirens: The OUTDOOR warning sirens located in Fredericktown and Marquand Cities are a means to notify the people, who are outside, that a tornado warning has been issued for the area. The siren’s purpose is not to wake you up during the night. The sirens are activated to inform you a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service. This means you should seek shelter immediately. Should the siren be activated again, a Tornado has been spotted. The siren will be activated if a new Tornado Warning is issued or extended beyond the initial time frame
Television and Radio Stations: Local Television and Radio stations are another means of emergency notification. Should you hear the sirens, this is a good source of information of the affected area and the television stations will also provide expected time frame of impact and the length of the National Weather Service Warning.
Nixle Warning System: This is a new system for emergency notification. Citizens must register to receive text messages of Tornado Warnings. Texts sent will be for areas you identify during registration. The primary zip codes for Madison County are 63645 and 63655. You will receive texting charges for this service if you do not have unlimited texting on your cell phone. Consider the text charge a small price for you and your family’s safety.
To register for Nixle Warning Notification, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Nixle Website at www.nixle.com If you need computer access please feel free to use the local library or come by the health department.
2. Click on “Sign up for Free” Big Yellow Box
3. Enter the required fields. Use the Mobile Phone notification so text messages will be sent to your phone 24/7. If you choose the e-mail option you cannot also select the text option.
4. Read Terms and Conditions then click on I Accept, Sign Me Up
5. You will receive a text message to your phone.
6. Text back Yes
7. You will receive a text about the areas you would like to receive text for. Include 63645 and 63655 and up to 3 other zip codes if you so choose.
8. Then click done and follow through with the rest of the registration process.
9. You will need to register all cell phone numbers individually.
You will now receive Tornado Warnings as a text message for Madison County Warnings. The message will read
“Madison County is under a Tornado Warning until _____ time.
Call Before You Burn: Madison County also maintains the Public Information line. The number is 573-783-4539. Daily, this recorded message is updated with the National Weather Service forecast for Madison County and the Fire risk of the day from the forestry service. This message line will also be utilized following an event to inform the citizens of the emergency and recovery information you will need to be informed of.
Web sites that you may want to visit for Emergency Preparedness
National Weather Service St. Louis: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA): http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/
Mark Twain National Forestry Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/
Fredericktown Fire Department: http://www.fredericktownfire.com
Madison County Health Department: http://madisoncountyhealth.us/ Select program index; community services; emergency preparedness
Madison County has many means of emergency notification that citizens have available to utilize for their family’s protection during weather events.
Weather Alert Radio: The best means of warning is for families to have a weather alert system in the home. This system is available for $20-$50. The alert system must be labeled for S.A.M.E. programming and be programmed so you will only receive alerts for the areas you choose. The alert system must be placed in an area of the home you will hear it, at all hours, with the overnight hours being the most crucial.
Outdoor Warning Sirens: The OUTDOOR warning sirens located in Fredericktown and Marquand Cities are a means to notify the people, who are outside, that a tornado warning has been issued for the area. The siren’s purpose is not to wake you up during the night. The sirens are activated to inform you a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service. This means you should seek shelter immediately. Should the siren be activated again, a Tornado has been spotted. The siren will be activated if a new Tornado Warning is issued or extended beyond the initial time frame
Television and Radio Stations: Local Television and Radio stations are another means of emergency notification. Should you hear the sirens, this is a good source of information of the affected area and the television stations will also provide expected time frame of impact and the length of the National Weather Service Warning.
Nixle Warning System: This is a new system for emergency notification. Citizens must register to receive text messages of Tornado Warnings. Texts sent will be for areas you identify during registration. The primary zip codes for Madison County are 63645 and 63655. You will receive texting charges for this service if you do not have unlimited texting on your cell phone. Consider the text charge a small price for you and your family’s safety.
To register for Nixle Warning Notification, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Nixle Website at www.nixle.com If you need computer access please feel free to use the local library or come by the health department.
2. Click on “Sign up for Free” Big Yellow Box
3. Enter the required fields. Use the Mobile Phone notification so text messages will be sent to your phone 24/7. If you choose the e-mail option you cannot also select the text option.
4. Read Terms and Conditions then click on I Accept, Sign Me Up
5. You will receive a text message to your phone.
6. Text back Yes
7. You will receive a text about the areas you would like to receive text for. Include 63645 and 63655 and up to 3 other zip codes if you so choose.
8. Then click done and follow through with the rest of the registration process.
9. You will need to register all cell phone numbers individually.
You will now receive Tornado Warnings as a text message for Madison County Warnings. The message will read
“Madison County is under a Tornado Warning until _____ time.
Call Before You Burn: Madison County also maintains the Public Information line. The number is 573-783-4539. Daily, this recorded message is updated with the National Weather Service forecast for Madison County and the Fire risk of the day from the forestry service. This message line will also be utilized following an event to inform the citizens of the emergency and recovery information you will need to be informed of.
Web sites that you may want to visit for Emergency Preparedness
National Weather Service St. Louis: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA): http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/
Mark Twain National Forestry Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/
Fredericktown Fire Department: http://www.fredericktownfire.com
Madison County Health Department: http://madisoncountyhealth.us/ Select program index; community services; emergency preparedness