Sign up for O’Fallon’s new Adopt-a-Siren Program

The O’Fallon Police Department invites citizens throughout the City to volunteer for a new program, Adopt-a-Siren. Citizen volunteers are needed to accurately and efficiently help monitor each of the tornado sirens in the City’s Outdoor Warning Siren system and report whether or not specific sirens are working properly.

So that they can observe and hear “their” siren on days when the sirens are tested, O’Fallon citizens are encouraged to adopt a siren in their neighborhood. After each monthly test, volunteers will report whether or not the assigned or adopted siren worked properly or failed to perform.

“We are hoping to increase public awareness and interest in our City’s Outdoor Warning Siren system,” said Police Officer Andy Stowers, head of O’Fallon’s Emergency Management Division. “Any citizen can report a malfunctioning siren by calling 636-379-3816. However, the Adopt-a-Siren program will allow the Emergency Management team to contact knowledgeable volunteers directly if there is a concern or if additional information is needed regarding specific sirens.”

Interested O’Fallon citizens must be within ¼ of a mile or no further than about a block from adopted sirens, and they should go outside when sirens are tested each month so that accurate observations can be made. For that reason, up to five citizen volunteers for each siren are requested. Participation is completely voluntary and no legal obligations whatsoever are expected of observers.

To register for the Adopt-a-Siren Program, visit the City of O’Fallon’s web page, www.ofallon.mo.us. A map of all sirens will be available so that volunteers can determine which siren is closest to their home. For more information, contact Officer Stowers at astowers@ofallon.mo.us or call 636-379-3816.