A reminder to all residents within Porter County: At 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month the county’s tornado sirens are tested. It is one long blast that lasts for one minute, stops, then blasts again for one minute.

The sirens are under the jurisdiction of the Emergency Management Agency of Porter County/Homeland Security. Phil Griffith is the EMA director.

If we were under a tornado warning, the sirens would blast for three minutes, stop, then blast for another three minutes.

“If residents hear the tornado warning sirens, they are to turn to their local radio station for instructions. WLJE, 105.5 FM is the county’s official station. Also, people can check their local cable station for instructions,” Griffith said.

Griffith explained although the sirens give a warning, people need information as to what is happening and from what direction. The sirens can even be regulated according to specific zones. For example, a chemical spill could occur in Chesterton, but other areas would not be affected.

For those who would like an awareness class for your organization (at least 20 people), contact Griffith at 465-3490.

Posted 4/4/2006