The purpose of the Warren County Outdoor Public Warning Sirens is to alert the general public of the existence of, or potential existence of a tornado or chemical situation anywhere in Warren County. The main objective of the sirens is to alert those individuals who are outdoors and away from the other established means of notification, such as commercial television and radio, weather alert radios, and so forth. These sirens are not designed to be heard inside a structure. In order to make the Outdoor Public Warning Siren System efficient and effective, a consistent method of operation is paramount. As the Warren County Communications Center is the activation point for a majority of the sirens, it is imperative that its’ personnel know under what conditions they are to activate the siren system.

Description and General Use of the Outdoor Warning Siren System

Systemwide or Quadrant activation will activate the sirens utilizing the County’s fire paging frequency (453.375 MHz). The sirens shall automatically sound a steady tone for no less than 3 minutes and then reset themselves. This method is the nationally accepted manner of sounding for a TORNADO WARNING. Sirens not meeting the basic requirement for sounding, will not be considered a bona-fide siren for warning of a tornado situation.

In Warren County, there are 4 quadrants available for quadrant activation, including Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. Activating sirens in a quadrant will only notify the municipalities designated in that geographical area.

Additionally, systemwide activation will also be utilized once a month for system testing.

The Outdoor Public Warning Siren System will not be activated for any other weather related incidents. 

This ensures reliable TORNADO WARNING and reduces confusion among the general public. The public in Warren County will fully understand that activation of the siren system means "TAKE SHELTER, NOW, TUNE TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR INFORMATION !”

Maintenance Testing (Select or Growl Test)

Most, but not all, sirens are capable of select (individual) testing activation. Select activation is also referred to as a “growl test”. The siren is designed to activate for 5 to 15 seconds to verify its proper operation. The Director of Emergency Services or his designee shall be notified any time a test is requested on any siren activated from the Warren County Division of Communications.

Siren Ownership

Sirens are owned and maintained by the political subdivision in which they are located. Any questions, suggestions and/or complaints by the citizenry in that area are to be referred to their local government.

Siren Locations

Currently there are 61 Outdoor Public Warning Sirens located throughout Warren County. The locations are in or around the following jurisdictions:

• Carlisle
• Clearcreek/Springboro
• Deerfield Township
• The City of Franklin
• Franklin Township
• Hamilton Township
• Harlan Township
• The City of Lebanon
• The City of Mason
• Massie Township
• The Village of Morrow
• The Village of South Lebanon
• The Village of Waynesville

Addition Activation Points:

Those Outdoor Warning Sirens in the Cities of Franklin and Lebanon are activated by their 911 dispatch centers.

Warren County Public Outdoor Warning Siren Map