Town of Tryon
Emergency Warning System Activation Policy
I.
Purpose
The Town of
Tryon’s Primary public warning system is the Emergency Alerting
System (Siren) positioned on top of Town Hall. The primary purpose
for this system is to alert the public to severe weather either
incoming and/or affecting the Town. Information for the activation
of the system can come from several sources, not limited to the
National Weather Service, County, State or Federal Agencies and
local Public Officials.
II.
Concept of Operations
The Emergency
Alert system will be activated through the Tryon Police Department
dispatch center when the following conditions are present:
Tornado
Warning
- A tornado has been visually confirmed and/or a tornado warning has
been issued indicating that the Town of Tryon is in the path of an
approaching tornado or whenever any reported tornado sighting within
the Town is confirmed.
EM
Director/Town Manager/Fire and/or Police Chief Discretion
- Any situation where the aforementioned individuals feel it
necessary to activate the system to provide public warning to
imminent danger. Notification to activate can also be provided by
the Shift Supervisor-in-Charge of the Tryon Police Department and/or
Assistant Fire Chief.
Civil
Defense
- Any situation defined by the Federal Government as a threat to
national security and the safety of the American public. These
include: Imminent Attack, Uncontrollable Wild Fires, Public Address
for Immediate Safety and/or shelter
III.
Public Response and Further Actions
The Town
shall make all efforts to inform and educate the public what actions
to take when the siren is sounded for an emergency situation. These
actions shall include, but not be limited to, tuning into local
television and radio stations for further weather information, and
taking immediate shelter from the perceived danger. Due to the
nature of the situations which require the activation of the
emergency warning system, citizens shall be encouraged not to call
911 unless in the event of an emergency due to the overwhelming
number of calls received for emergency services personnel during
such situations. The Tryon Police Department and Tryon Fire
Department shall make every effort to make use of the PA (Public
Address) features on their apparatus to disseminate information
regarding the particular situation as well.
III.
System Testing
Unless
notified in writing by the Town Manager, Police and/or Fire Chief,
the Town of Tryon Emergency Alert System (Siren) will be activated
for system testing the first Saturday of January, April, July, and
October (i.e. quarterly) for 1 cycle at 1200 hours.
What you
should know:
The Town of Tryon,
in an effort to protect its citizens and visitors, is implementing
the use of the public warning siren located on top of Tryon Town
Hall. The siren will be tested the first Saturday of each month at
12 noon and will cycle for a total of 4 minutes. Outside of the
test dates, if the siren is sounded it is to warn the citizens of an
immediate impending danger, and that those who can hear the siren
should take shelter immediately. The Town will initially use the
siren only to warn of tornado warnings which are directly affecting
the Town or Township. A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has
been sighted or that one has been indicated by weather radar. The
following is important information regarding what actions to take
when a tornado warning has been issued for Tryon:
