Tomorrow is the statewide tornado drill and it’s a time for everyone to practice their procedures in the event of a real tornado warning.

Jefferson Police Chief Dave Morlan describes the activation policy for the City’s outdoor warning sirens.  He says if the City of Jefferson is issued a tornado warning or there are winds in excess of 70 miles-per-hour, the sirens will sound.  Any law enforcement, fire or emergency management officials can activate the sirens.

Morlan points out one change that the City Council recently made to its activation policy.

“In the past, the sirens were sounded just to alert people to go in and look at their T.V. or turn their radio on.  The change that they (City Council) made now, people need to realize, if the siren is going off, they need to cover.  And when the sirens do go off, they’re going to go off for three to five minutes.  And if there is a continued threat, they may be resounded every 10 to 15 minutes.”

There are four sirens located throughout the City.  One is on Lincoln Way by Westwood Drive, another is at the intersection of Russell and Wilson streets, one is at the intersection of Cedar Street and Lincoln Way and another one is on Central Street near Iowa Highway 4.

Morlan adds that the sirens will not sound an “all-clear.”  The sirens are tested twice per month on the first and third Thursdays.  The first test is to check the electrical side of the siren and the second test is to make sure the battery back up is working properly.

Morlan notes that when you hear the siren, to take cover immediately and tune the radio to 98.9FM KGRA for weather-related updates from the Law Enforcement Center.

The sirens in Jefferson and in Greene County will sound at 10:15am on Wednesday.  If there is inclement weather, the drill will be pushed back to the next day.