Siren Buddies

The Franklin County Ohio Outdoor Warning System consists of one-hundred and forty-eight (148) sirens that are located throughout Franklin County. This system, which is meant to alert people outdoors, is activated by local officials to warn the public of severe weather conditions. The Outdoor Warning System Sirens are tested every Wednesday at 12:00-Noon, weather permitting.

Franklin County is currently searching for volunteers willing to report every Wednesday at noon that their designated tornado siren is working properly. This program is called Siren Buddies. Volunteers will do this by stepping outside their home, office, or place of business to both watch and hear the siren. Many county sirens broke last year after being run for too long during a tornado warning. While they are run electronically, there is a desire to have citizens physically make sure the sirens are working properly in case of a malfunction in the system. Commissioner Paula Brooks has requested that the Franklin County Citizen Corps, a group made of volunteers involved in disaster preparedness and response, oversee this operation. Below are some advantages and services that this program provides:

Advantages
·Siren buddies provides a backup to the electronic system that runs the sirens. Should the system fail, citizens can notify proper authorities of a default.
·Provides a way to involve the community is practicing disaster preparedness.
·Reinforces proper disaster preparation.
·Can serve as a learning tool for participants.

Services
·Creates a network of concerned citizens
·Recognizes a pool of volunteers
·Develops and practices one disaster preparedness plan
·Engages schools, firehouses and the community


If you are interested in becoming involved in our Siren Buddies program please contact Erin Franks at efranks@firstlink.org or Tessa Mott at tmotts@firstlink.org