While sirens may appear to be the 'quick' answer to tornado warning, they
are not infallible. All sirens require uninterrupted electrical power (i.e.
backup power when the main power fails during the ongoing storm), an
activation device, an adequate number of sirens to be heard by inside
occupants, and a policy on when to activate (most warnings are issued by
county or regional areas). Activation must be determined by weather, and
most tornados occur instantly. When you need them most, they usually are not
working.

Severe weather is generally tracked by NWS (National Weather Service) and
local media. Watches and warnings are issued by NWS thru media and weather
radios. I concur with tracking these warnings, and you could use web site
alerts, paging, emergency broadcast systems, etc. to insure that the
majority of population is alerted. What do you do at night when everyone is
sleeping? No radio, no TV, no computer web, and unless you have a siren at
every street intersection, most will not hear it!

The real question - does your facility have a policy on what to do when a
tornado watch or warning is issued, and have they designated safe shelters?

Dennis Kirin
Oberlin FD OH

-----Original Message-----
From: International Association of Campus Fire Safety Officials
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jim Robinson
Sent: October 04, 2001 6:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Tornado Warnings


CSHEMA & Ohiofire Lists - Particularly those in "Tornado Alley":
    As many of you have heard, the University of Maryland was hit by an
F3 tornado on September 24th causing two student deaths, destroying 4
buildings and damaging 32 others (damage estimates are currently placed
at $15M).
    Since we don't live in a tornado prone area, the warning was less
than adequate. We do not have sirens (those on the fire houses were sent
to the mid west several years ago after a tornado there). I'm looking
for ideas that are used to warn students, faculty & staff to seek
shelter.

Thanks,
Jim Robinson