How do the tornado / severe weather sirens work?

The nine severe weather warning sirens strategically placed in the City of Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township are to alert anyone that is outside that severe weather is approaching our area and to take shelter immediately. Once obtaining shelter, individuals should tune in to their local weather, either via TV or the radio for further information. If the sirens could talk, they'd say "Go inside, take cover and tune into local weather."

There is a misconception that the sirens are only sounded to alert for an approaching tornado and that the sound can be heard inside of a structure or vehicle. The sirens are alerted whenever the Police Dispatcher is notified of a need by a couple of ways. One way is via Teletype from the National Weather Service, if a police officer on patrol that sees or hears of conditions necessitating this warning, or a neighboring community to the north, south, or west of Twinsburg has used their alerting system for approaching severe weather, typically non-snow events. Some folks may hear the sirens once activated while inside of a structure, however that is not typical nor designed. Often those hearing a siren inside are fairly close to a siren.

There is another misconception that the sirens can be turned up in volume. Again that is incorrect, as the audio level is at the highest decibel level allowed by federal law.

The final misconception is that if the sirens are heard to be alerted a 2nd time that it is an "all clear". There is no "all clear" notification. Each time the sirens are sounded, it indicates that another warning has been received by the Dispatch Center.

The tornado sirens are tested on the 1st Saturday of every month at noon. The tests are monitored by members of Twinsburg CERT, who are stationed at each site to witness the operation and report any issues.

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1. How do the tornado / severe weather sirens work?
2. How do I know if I need a new smoke alarm?
3. How can I become a part-time member of the Twinsburg Fire Department?
4. How can I become an EMT or Paramedic?
5. Where can I find out about donating blood?
6. Where can I find out more information on Summit County's Disaster Plans?
7. Where can I find out about public health and diseases?
8. How do I find out where the closest fire hydrant is to my home?
9. Why does the Fire Department break windows, cut holes, or tear open walls? It seems they are causing more damage.
10. How can I have a representative of the Fire Department visit my civic group or bring a fire truck to my community event?
11. Where should I have smoke detectors in my home?
12. How do I report a fire violation, and how are complaints of violations handled by the Fire Department?
13. How do I get a copy of a Fire Report?
14. How do I schedule a fire safety inspection?
15. How do I request a fire safety presentation?
16. Where do I call to get CPR classes?
17. Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?
18. Do you get cats / animals out of trees, off of telephone poles, and off of roofs?
19. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?
20. How come I see fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at an intersection, and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?
21. How do I get a tour of the fire station?
22. How do I get fire extinguisher training?