The Muscatine County Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) will complete one additional outdoor weather siren test this year. The testing will occur at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Muscatine County typically tests their sirens the first Monday of the month during non-freezing months. This additional test is needed to ensure sirens are configured correctly with a recent equipment upgrade in the dispatch center.
“This is just a precaution to make sure that the sirens are correctly configured and activate properly with the new system” Chris Jasper, Director – Emergency Management/911, said.
Jasper said they plan to activate the sirens once, but if additional testing is needed, they may activate a second time on Thursday.
Sirens are designed to alert citizens who are outdoors of an imminent hazard and prompt them to go indoors and seek further information.
Muscatine County Emergency Management can assist any business or family that needs help to make a preparedness plan. They can call the office at 563-264-7142 or email ema@muscatinecountyiowa.gov to set up a time. More information on plans and preparedness can also be found at https://ready.iowa.gov.
Anyone that believes a siren is not working or malfunctioning can reach out to the Office of Emergency Management at 563-264-7142 or ema@muscatinecountyiowa.gov.