The Preparedness Post Newsletter

Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) is responsible for the operation of the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System and traditionally activates the sirens county-wide when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Tornado Warning for any portion of Franklin County.  FCEM&HS recently compared the system’s current policies and procedures with a variety of best practices developed by the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and other Emergency Management Agencies (EMA’s) throughout the country. 

In 2007, NWS began issuing weather warnings based upon polygons to more accurately reflect local conditions or the likelihood of severe weather in a more specific location. After careful evaluation, FCEM&HS has altered the current policies and procedures and will now activate the Outdoor Warning Siren System by zones.  The policy will divide the county into four warning zones (NW, NE, SW and SE) based upon the county-wide street grid (Broad/High).  These four zones will allow the existing system the flexibility to more closely align siren activations with warning polygons issued by NWS or the actual location of tornadic activity in Franklin County. 

FCEM&HS will implement the new siren activation policy as part of Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week March 18-24, 2018. The week provides a timely reminder that with the arrival of spring comes an increased opportunity for severe weather.  

With the spring season comes the possibility of hazardous weather including flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.  To raise awareness about these hazards, FCEM&HS will recognize Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week and Flood Safety Awareness Week March 18–24, 2018.  

Planning ahead, knowing how to communicate, organizing a disaster kit and practicing safety drills are key to handling fast developing spring storms and minimizing injury and property damage.  Hazardous conditions can occur anytime and anywhere without advance notice.

Click here for more information and preparedness tips on these spring hazards and additional risks for Franklin County.  

FCEM&HS encourages everyone to participate in the annual Statewide Tornado Drill at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.  At that time, the sirens will be activated one time for three minutes – a longer tone than used during the regular Wednesday noon test. The test tone will be the same “tornado warning” tone which would be used in an actual tornado warning. 

The 9:50 a.m. March 21st siren activation will be in place of the regular weekly Wednesday noon test of the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System.  Area schools, businesses and residents are urged to participate and complete an online survey about their participation. 

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent windstorms and are the number one risk for Franklin County.   Designing and exercising a plan will help residents respond safely in a real event.

Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) and The Ohio State University Department of Public Safety are co-sponsoring the annual Tornado and Severe Weather Spotter Seminar by the National Weather Service (NWS).  The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at The Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus. 

The seminar, led by meteorologists from the NWS office in Wilmington, Ohio, will provide specialized training to citizens, public safety officers and emergency management personnel on how to spot, report and prepare for tornadoes as well as other severe spring weather conditions in Franklin County.  Trainees will be provided with the basic tools needed to become a severe weather spotter and assist NWS forecasters with the information necessary to issue warnings and updates.   

The four-hour training will cover the basics of thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, flooding, damaging winds, storm structure and development as well as what visual clues to look for that may indicate when the weather is about to turn severe. 

Registration for the event has been closed due to a record high number of participants expected to attend this year's training.