NEWS RELEASE                                            

CITY OF MANSFIELD                                              Jodie A Perry, Mayor

For Immediate Release

Date: May 27, 2025

REMINDER: Tornado Siren Test & Activation Procedures

The City of Mansfield has installed four new tornado sirens at the following locations:

      John’s Park 0 South Park o John Todd Park 0 Burton Park

These sirens are now fully operational and will be maintained by Richland County.

Monthly Siren Testing:

A one-minute test of all sirens will take place on the last Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM.

The sirens are controlled by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. For details on how and when the sirens are activated during weather emergencies, please refer to the attached Outdoor Warning Siren Alert Notification Procedures issued by the Richland County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

The City of Mansfield extends its sincere thanks to the Richland County Commissioners for their partnership and support of this project, which enhances public safety for residents and visitors throughout Richland County.

RICHLAND COUNTY EMA, 597 PARK AVE. EAST, MANSFIELD, OH 44905

419-774-5686

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richlandcoema

Outdoor Warning Siren Alert Notification Procedures

Activation of Sirens

• Tornado warnings are issued from the National Weather Service
• After receiving notification of a “Tornado Warning” from the NWS, the sirens shall be activated for the 3-minute steady tone.
• The message Richland County 911 to all listening stations. “Richland County is under a tornado warning until hours this date.”
• After the initial siren activation, if additional reports are received of a tornado touchdown from First Responders or Skywarn Members, the sirens may be activated again in the area of touchdown.

All Clear Signal o On expiration of the tornado warning period, the sirens shall be activated for the 1 minute “All Clear” signal o The message “Richland County 911 to all listening stations, the tornado warning for Richland County has expired.

Siren Monthly Test

• Sirens shall be activated for the test on the last Wednesday of each month at 16:00 hours.
• The test shall be the I-minute steady tone.
• Dispatch shall announce “Richland County 911 to all listening stations, the outdoor warning sirens have been activated for the monthly scheduled test. This is a test only. Richland County 911 clear at hours.”
• The monthly test may be cancelled due to severe weather already in progress and/or the availability of dispatches due to work load in progress.
• Once the test is complete it shall be logged with the date, time and name of the dispatcher who completed the test.

Spring Severe Weather Awareness Test o NWS issues a state-wide alert every March as part of SSWA week.

Revised: 5/2025