Are Those Tornado Sirens?

Keeping Your Family Informed and Safe During Severe Weather

Posted Date: 3/1/2011 10:30 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sergeant Charles J. Warner
Public Information Officer615.550.6821
cwarner@franklintn.gov

Franklin, TN – Dispatcher: “911, what is the address of your emergency?” Caller: “I hear the sirens going off, is there a tornado or something?” This is a realistic example of a call Franklin 911 Dispatchers routinely receive after activating the City’s tornado sirens. On the heels of two recent and severe storms, and with storm season rapidly approaching, the Franklin Police and Fire Departments want to be certain that residents know how to keep their families safe during the next severe weather event.

Fifteen strategically placed tornado warning sirens are located throughout Franklin’s 41.5 square miles. With the exception of a 1:00 pm test on the first Saturday of every month, these sirens are activated only when the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning that includes the City of Franklin. In those cases, residents should take cover immediately.

The sirens are intended to warn people who are outdoors to take immediate cover. With factors like wind or other noise, the sirens may not always be heard indoors. Because of this, it is imperative that residents and business owners rely on local media and NOAA Weather Radio to alert them of imminent weather dangers. A NOAA weather receiver with SAME technology allows users to specify the particular area for which they wish to receive alerts. Purchasing a weather radio with this technology minimizes the number of ‘false alarms’ for events which might be a few counties away from where they live.

Severe weather typically results in a high call volume for emergency dispatchers. Non-critical calls, like checking on the status of weather warnings and requests to contact public utilities should not be made to the City’s Emergency Communications Center during severe weather.

For up to the minute information on active severe weather watches or warnings for Franklin and Williamson County, visit NOAA.gov. Residents experiencing utility problems like power outages should contact their service provider directly. Emergency services personnel cannot expedite the restoration of services.
Franklin Police
Professional, Progressive, Responsive 


Respectively Submitted,


Debra Gerstenberger

Secretary, Andover Townhomes HOA