The purpose of the Warren County Outdoor Public Warning Sirens is to alert the general public of the existence of, or
potential existence of a tornado situation anywhere in Warren County. The main objective of the sirens
is to alert those individuals who are out of doors and away from the other established means of
notification, such as commercial television and radio, weather alert radios, and so forth. These sirens
are not designed to be heard inside a structure.
In order to make the Outdoor Public Warning Siren System efficient and effective, a consistent method of
operation is paramount. As the Warren County Division of Communications is the activation point for a majority of
the sirens, it is imperative that its’ personnel know under what conditions they are to activate the
siren system.
DESCRIPTION AND GENERAL USE OF OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN SYSTEM
System wide activation will activate the sirens utilizing the County’s fire paging frequency (453.375
MHz). The sirens shall automatically sound a steady tone for no less than 3 minutes and then reset
themselves. This method is the nationally accepted manner of sounding for a TORNADO WARNING.
Sirens not meeting the basic requirement for sounding, will not be considered a bona-fide siren for
warning of a tornado situation.
INDIVIDUAL SIRENS SHALL NOT BE ACTIVATED FOR A WARNING. ANY SUCH REQUEST
SHALL RESULT IN A COUNTYWIDE ACTIVATION OF THE SYSTEM.
System wide activation will also be utilized once a month for system testing.
The Outdoor Public Warning Siren System will not be activated for any other weather related
incidents. This ensures reliable TORNADO WARNING and reduces confusion among the general
public. The public in Warren County will fully understand that activation of the siren system means
"TAKE SHELTER, NOW, TUNE TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR
INFORMATION !”
MAINTENANCE TESTING (SELECT OR GROWL TEST)
Most, but not all, sirens are capable of select (individual) testing activation. Select activation is also
referred to as a “growl test”. The siren is designed to activate for 5 to 15 seconds to verify its proper
operation. The Director of Emergency Services or his designee shall be notified any time a test is
requested on any siren activated from the Warren County Division of Communications.
SIREN OWNERSHIP
Sirens are owned and maintained by the political subdivision in which they are located. Any questions,
suggestions and/or complaints by the citizenry in that area are to be referred to their local government.
Siren Locations
Currently there are 59 Outdoor Public Warning Sirens located throughout Warren County. The locations are in or around the following jurisdictions:
- Carlisle
- Clearcreek/Springboro
- Deerfield Township
- The City of Franklin
- Franklin Township
- Hamilton Township
- Harlan Township
- The City of Lebanon
- The City of Mason
- Massie Township
- The Village of Morrow
- The Village of South Lebanon
- The Village of Waynesville
Addition activation points:
Those Outdoor Warning Sirens in the Cities of Franklin and Lebanon are activated by their 911 dispatch centers.
Warren County Public Outdoor Warning Siren System Map