The Dispatch Center contracted by the City of New Carlisle is alerted by the National Weather Service to tornado watches and warnings by the EAS (Emergency Alert System) and Ohio LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System).
(a) Tornado Watch. Upon notification that a tornado watch has been issued for Clark County by the National Weather Service or the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System:
(1) The dispatcher shall notify the Dispatch Supervisor as soon as possible of the tornado watch and the affected area.
(2) Dispatch shall notify both the Clark County Sheriff Office (CCSO) and the Fire Division of the existence of a tornado watch and the affected area. Notification methods utilized are as follows:
A. The CCSO shall be notified via telephone so patrol units within the area of the City are notified.
B. Dispatch will also notify the Fire Division via radio systems using the "All Call" tones. Additionally, the Fire Chief and/or the Battalion Supervisor shall be contacted to confirm receipt of the radio notification.
(b) Tornado Warning. Upon notification that a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for New Carlisle, Clark County, or adjoining Miami County areas, or a notification by a credible source that a tornado has been sighted and is headed toward New Carlisle, dispatch shall:
(1) Activate the warning sirens for New Carlisle area. Additionally, the Dispatch Supervisor or his or her designee shall ensure the New Carlisle pre-existing WARN notification system is activated to notify citizens of the tornado warning.
(2) Immediately alert the CCSO, the City Manager or their designee by phone, and the Fire Division personnel by:
A. Initiating the Fire Division (NCFD) "All Call" tones alerting NCFD personnel of tornado activity. The Fire Chief or Battalion Supervisor will confirm receipt of notification via radio.
(3) The Dispatch Supervisor or his or her designee shall coordinate and convey pertinent information regarding tornado activity to the CCSO and the City Manager or their designee for coordination with the Clark County EMA Director.
(4) Reactivate the warning sirens approximately every ten minutes until the warning is cancelled and/or the area is declared safe.
(c) Testing. The weather warning siren system shall be tested monthly to ensure functionality and reliability.
(1) The test shall be conducted by the Dispatch Supervisor or his or her designee at 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday of each month. Training on the WARN system shall also be conducted, to enhance familiarity with this notification component. The City Manager or their designee shall be advised in advance of any WARN system testing or siren system testing other than the regularly scheduled test.
(2) Prior to the test a notification shall be broadcast on the Fire Division radio system.
(3) Test results will be recorded on the shift log. Any system failure shall be immediately recorded and reported to the Supervisor.
(4) The Dispatch Supervisor has the discretion to cancel testing based on operational and/or weather-related issues. Test cancellations must be documented on the shift log and the City Manager or their designee must be notified of a test cancellation prior to the scheduled testing.
(Ord. 11-32. Passed 6-6-11.)