Emergency Management Agency director Scott Johnson, left, and Shelbyville Fire Chief John Habel stand below a warning siren on Lane Parkway. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Scott Johnson, director of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, says there are plans to erect 20 of the devices around the county in coming years, once funding becomes available.

According to Shelbyville Fire Chief John Habel, the siren at the fire station on Lane Parkway was originally on the public square during the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

"Before we had good communications, that's how they would summon the off-duty and volunteers," Habel said. The chief said that new technologies, like pagers and cell phones, have changed the need for the horn.

As a result, the siren has not been used for years. But Johnson asked if his department could use the siren to warn residents of threatening weather.

You can definitely hear the siren from about a mile away, Habel said, as he gave the T-G a short demonstration Friday morning.

While many around town might have access to a television or radio to warn of impending violent weather, those shopping or working on the square may not know what's coming, Habel said.

"That way, they'll know what it is and they can take shelter," Habel said

Johnson said one of his department's biggest jobs is public notification, and urges businesses as well as residents to have a N.O.A.A. weather radio on hand. But Johnson said that when bad weather strikes, people will be outside and may not be aware of approaching storms.

Johnson said the department's long-term plan is to place 20 of the sirens around Bedford County, but they cost about $20,000 apiece.

"Once we get the funding, which won't be this year, we plan to put them in places like the park complex, where people are outside, or where the ball games are being played, that sort of thing," Johnson said.

Johnson said the EMA hopes to buy two or three of the sirens a year and place them at key points across Bedford County. Johnson has also met with county mayor Eugene Ray about the plan.

"Unfortunately, there isn't the grant money available at this time," Johnson said, but he looks to follow Williamson County's endeavor of buying a few of the sirens each year and placing them in communities and the rural areas.

The siren at the fire station, as well as one on Eagle Boulevard at the now-closed Aleris plant, will be used for tornado warnings. The Aleris siren was to be used in case of a leak of chlorine gas when the company was in operation.

The Eagle Boulevard siren is controlled by the 911 center, Johnson said. Habel said that both sirens would be tested at the same time sometime in the future.

The Lane Parkway siren is now tested every Wednesday at noon, sounding for less than 30 seconds. If severe weather threatens around the time of the weekly test, it will not be conducted.

Habel and Johnson said residents who hear the siren at a time other than during the weekly tests should take immediate shelter.

The siren will sound for one minute every 15 minutes during a tornado warning, and there will be no all-clear signal. Residents should tune to local radio and television for the status of the storm.

"It's just one more way to warn the public that something's coming," Johnson said. "We really appreciate the city's help with this."