The Buckhannon Fire Department has installed and reactivated its fire siren.
Working together with the Buckhannon Police Department and the Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the three agencies developed a safety alert protocol designed to warn the downtown area of imminent threats to community members, visitors, and property.
The Siren System may be activated within the acceptable use criteria listed below based on the imminent peril to the downtown community and facts known at the time.
- Annually at the start of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival Fireman’s Parade
- Warnings and instructions related to emergency conditions:
- Environmental Disasters/Severe Weather – Any imminent severe weather that has the potential to cause significant injury or damage to lives or property (i.e. flooding, thunderstorm, winds in excess of 80 mph, tornado, snow/ice/cold, etc.)
- Life-Threatening Incidents – Any other conditions where lives are in imminent threat.
- “All Clear” and/or additional follow-up messages pertaining to end-of-event. For example: When an alert has been issued due to a potentially severe storm in the area, an “All Clear” message could be sent when the danger has passed.
When activated, the siren will sound for two minutes. Residents should then seek information in one of the following ways:
- Visit the DHSEM social media accounts
- Twitter (@UpshurWVDHSEM)
- Facebook (UpshurCoDHSEM)
- Sign up for the NIXLE Emergency Alert System
- To sign up, go to www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777
- Visit the Upshur DHSEM website
For the complete siren protocol, click here.
