Rowan County along with numerous fire departments across the county
cooperatively operate and maintain an outdoor warning siren system, that will be
tested on Saturday. This siren system serves two purposes: 1) to provide
outdoor notification of the issuance of a tornado warning in Rowan County, and
2) in some selected locations to alert firefighters to a call in their district.
A different siren tone is used for each of these alerts/warnings. Activation of
this siren network is performed by the Rowan County Telecommunications (9-1-1)
Center.

“It is important to remember that the outdoor warning sirens are designed to be
heard outside” said Frank Thomason, Chief of Emergency Services. “Our Emergency
Management Division still recommends that weather alert radios be used inside
homes and businesses. The sirens are in place to help provide an additional
method of public notification and warning.”

While the same physical siren is used for both types of alerts, each has the
ability to emit two different tones. For a tornado warning, the siren will emit
a steady, unwavering tone for three continuous minutes. For firefighter alerts,
the siren will emit a wavering, up and down wailing tone, that may last anywhere
from one to approximately five minutes. The tornado warning sirens are tested
quarterly, weather permitting, on the first Saturday of the months of January,
April, July, and October at 12:00 noon.

For more information on tornado and severe weather preparedness, visit
www.ReadyROWAN.org or contact the Emergency Management Division with Rowan
County Emergency Services at 704-216-8900