Marshall County to begin weekly outdoor warning siren tests starting June 2

Marshall County residents will begin hearing their outdoor warning sirens sound every Tuesday morning starting June 2, as the county launches a new weekly testing program aimed at improving severe weather preparedness.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Department Dispatch Center will automatically activate sirens every Tuesday at 11 a.m. for 30 seconds. The weekly tests will cover sirens in Bourbon, Center, and Union Townships, which are controlled by the Dispatch Center. Sirens in other areas of the county are managed by their respective fire departments, which maintain their own testing procedures.

The automated siren system was made possible by an additional appropriation approved by the Marshall County Council in 2024. According to EMA Director Jack Garner, the technology has proven to be a significant success, enabling faster activation of sirens when a Tornado Warning is issued and eliminating the potential for human error. The new weekly testing builds on that system's ability to display the operational status of each siren in real time.

Residents should be aware that tests may occasionally be cancelled. If severe weather is forecast on a Tuesday, or if it is actively raining at 11 a.m., the test will be called off to prevent unnecessary alarm. Cancellations will be announced on the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency's Facebook page.

Garner noted that the siren tests are just one part of a broader effort to strengthen severe weather readiness across the county. The EMA is also pursuing funding for new and replacement sirens, planning NOAA Weather Radio giveaways, and arranging training opportunities for public and private partners.

Garner expressed gratitude to the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, Bourbon Volunteer Fire Department, Culver-Union Township Fire Department, and Plymouth Fire Department for their collaboration in coordinating the testing program.