Tornado Siren Activation Criteria

[RFsponge]

Hello all- Wondering if I might find answers to the following questions here because the answers are elusive in the real world and you guys never dissapoint. Yes, that is a genuine compliment.

Are there any published criteria / standards for the activation of municipal warning sirens? Are there different standards for different juristictions? Who makes the decision to press the big red button?

It's been alleged there have been some arbitrary siren activations around town without good reason or a preceeding warning from NWS.

If this information is on-line somewhere I would sure like to be pointed that direction.

Thank you in advance!

Rob

[K4XB]

Originally Posted by RFsponge

Hello all- Wondering if I might find answers to the following questions here because the answers are elusive in the real world and you guys never dissapoint. Yes, that is a genuine compliment.

Are there any published criteria / standards for the activation of municipal warning sirens? Are there different standards for different juristictions? Who makes the decision to press the big red button?

It's been alleged there have been some arbitrary siren activations around town without good reason or a preceeding warning from NWS.

If this information is on-line somewhere I would sure like to be pointed that direction.

Thank you in advance!

Rob

For the Denver criteria:
Alert and Warning Systems

Scotty, K4XB

[rdale]

Actually a national workgroup composed of NWS, EM and media meteorologists just started working on a "best practices." Expect release this fall and hopefully being included in Skywarn sessions next year.

You'll see the problem with Denver's criteria - they could have a straight line derecho wind event with 90mph winds but don't sound the sirens. However an EF0 tornado with 65mph winds gets sirens. That is what we're trying to fix.

[davidgcet]

for that matter i know that one county i maintain will sound the sirens at any NWS issued tornado warning or in the event a trained spotter sees a tornado on the ground if no warning issued, but another area close by will ONLY sound it if both a NWS warning is issued and a spotter actually sees and confirms the tornado.

[rdale]

Exactly. A lot of times it's politics - but even more often it's just the EM not knowing. We're hoping that this "best practices" sheet will help.

[jeffreyinberthoud]

I can tell you what the local Weather Media thought about it. Last Thursday
they said it right on TV ..............
both Mike Nelson on channel 7 and the news reporters on 9 news said to rely on the NEWS that there was no threat of tornado activity and that it was most likely an over anxious community Representative Kinda wonder if he was a "trained spotter"

[kb0nly]

Could be worse... July 1st we had a tornado, wiped me out, and yet NO SIRENS to warn anyone.

[jimmnn]

Or you could be in the Thornton area where there sounding sirens lots this summer with NO NWS warning, much like crying wolf if you ask me.

Glad I live in the mountains.

Jim<

[Forever-21]

Where I live. They used to test the sirens every Wednesday. Plus at night when your alseep, who's going to wake up for a sirens. Rdale Sir, is there anything in the works to change the way sirens are sounded? Can't you set up a scanner to beep at you when NWS sends out a warning? I think my Pro 97 did it, I could however be wrong.

[rdale]

Originally Posted by Forever-21

Rdale Sir, is there anything in the works to change the way sirens are sounded?

No. The group is coming up with suggestions, but it's up to the locals to do them. If citizens don't like them being tested every Wednesday, they will have a lot more power over getting the 911 center to stop than I will

Can't you set up a scanner to beep at you when NWS sends out a warning? I think my Pro 97 did it, I could however be wrong.

Yes, but you'd be better off with a SAME-capable NOAA Weather Radio. $30 at Walmart, Target, Radio Shack, etc.

[datainmotion]

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Originally Posted by jimmnn

Or you could be in the Thornton area where there sounding sirens lots this summer with NO NWS warning, much like crying wolf if you ask me.

Glad I live in the mountains.

Jim<

Does Thornton even have sirens? We can only hear Northglenn and NW Commerce City...

[RFsponge]

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Thanks guys. Like I said, you don't dissapoint. Rdale, Do we know which Denver-area media meteorologists, if any, might be involved in the standards workgroup?

Much appreciated!

[burner50]

My county will activate sirens countywide if a tornado warning is anywhere inside the county borders.

I know of one county that will activate their sirens for winds over 60mph even if there is no threat of tornado.

[rdale]

RF, the NWS rep is in CO but the media mets aren't. The recommendation for straight line winds will be around 75mph. 60 is WAY too low to be sounding.

[Scannerhead1983]

In our county the sheriff's dispatch center activates the sires via a 2 tone paging sequence on the old VHF statewide frequency. The sirens are programmed to receive the tones for activation, air raid mode, and then deactivation. Of course they are not activated untill one of us confirms cloud rotation, or other conditions suitible for activation.

[Scannerhead1983]

You may also want to check your local listings to see if there are any talkgroups (providing they are using a trunked system) That local officials coordinate weather reports with the national weather service. In our area there are a couple of talkgroups on the states MARCS system that we use to coordinate weather directly with the national weather service, As well as a talkgroup ID for the EAS alerting system. They are devided up into 4 zones, So you will be able to receive the broadcast about the same time as it would go off over your local cable channels. Additionaly there are several EMA talkgroups that are used amoungst officials to report back and fourth in the event of severe weather.

[Confuzzled]

Originally Posted by rdale

Actually a national workgroup composed of NWS, EM and media meteorologists just started working on a "best practices." Expect release this fall and hopefully being included in Skywarn sessions next year.

Our EM toad will toss that in the circular file just like he does any other document from NIMS or anywhere else that he feels he's too special to have to comply with.

[rdale]

I'm sure a majority will... But right now when we see stupid sounding policies, we will have something to hold up as an example.

[newsphotog]

Originally Posted by burner50

I know of one county that will activate their sirens for winds over 60mph even if there is no threat of tornado.

New Emergency Siren Policy Confuses Some - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines

[rdale]

Bad quote... They don't sound them until 70mph winds are reported which is a good thing. Anyone at 60mph is doing it wrong.