Storm Warning Siren System
- Primary activation control: The Office of Emergency Management
- Secondary Activation Center: The Emergency Communications Center for the City of Springfield
- Tertiary activation and Maintenance: Springfield Public Works Department's Maintenance Service Center
- Testing: Second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. If not activated, the date for testing defaults to the third Wednesday. If unable to test the sirens on the third Wednesday, the testing is cancelled until the following month.
- Activation: Can be instituted by any law enforcement officer, firefighter, trained Emergency Management weather spotter, or National Weather Service representative when reporting a funnel cloud or tornado that is threatening the safety of Springfield or Urban Service Area of Springfield residents.
- Coverage area: Springfield, Willard, Ash Grove, Strafford, and Battlefield
SEE SIRENS
Storm Warning System Interactive Map: The map allows you to do the following:
- View new storm sirens
- Find closest siren (search by address)
- Measure distance in feet to nearest siren
- See difference between old and new siren coverage
- Hear warning alert tone made by each siren
Sirens are Outdoor Warning Devices:
- All siren warning system vendors make it clear in their marketing literature that storm/Civil Defense sirens are outdoor warning devices. The National Weather Service and most media agencies-- written and broadcast--understand and try to educate the public to this fact. The Federal Emergency Management Website contains many statements regarding sirens being outdoor warning devices and that people should use other means for indoor alerting.
- A person needs to use multiple warning methods to ensure they are adequately alerted to a tornado or other imminent danger. Let the warning siren system serve to gain peoples’ attention while out of doors. People indoors should use radio, television, cable override, and an alert weather radio to keep themselves informed as to the weather or other threats that are occurring in the community.
- People must accept the responsibility of keeping themselves informed as to the outlook for stormy weather and other developing dangers within the community. Based on this outlook or potential for danger, they need to conduct their activities and focus their attention to those means of being alerted whenever tornados or other dangers threaten. Broadcast media, paging services, alert devices such as the NOAA weather alert radio, and/or an Emergency Alert System capable radio can provide this support day and night, on land or on water. But for them to work, people must accept responsibility for their own safety and use the tools that can best serve in sustaining that safety. Government can no longer, given today’s complex world, fully gain the attention of all people in the community and warn them of tornadoes or other imminent dangers. This makes it imperative that people stay alert to developing severe weather and other situations.
Weather Alert Radio Importance Increased:
- In January 2002, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) signed an agreement that allows emergency services to use weather alert radios to warn people for all hazards: weather, hazardous materials releases, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks. The benefit of the weather alert radio has increased significantly. It is no longer solely a weather alert tool.
Complaints Tracked and Investigated:
- The Office of Emergency Management and Public Works (Siren Maintenance) track complaints and other calls received regarding the new siren system. Complaints that indicated people are unable to hear the sirens outdoors are tested. The techniques used by Public Works and the Office of Emergency Management have validated that the new siren system is meeting or exceeding factory specifications in the areas where complaints have been received. When a complaint is received, individuals are stationed in the area where sirens are said to be inaudible, along with sensitive sound test equipment. Then, the sirens are activated and results are documented and reported to city leaders. Normally those who filed the complaint are asked to be present during the test. Send a Complaint Form to Emergency Management.