Weather sirens to test monthly

The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency is trying to reduce confusion over emergency weather sirens.

During a recent meeting, the EMA decided to change its weekly test to a monthly test. The routine tests will now be at 11 a.m. on the first Friday of each month.

In the event of inclement weather or an ongoing emergency on the first Friday, the test moves to the second Friday at 11 a.m.

"This will make us consistent with what most other communities are doing around the state," Putnam County 911 Director Dave Costin said.

The new procedure began Friday. Although it was the second Friday of the month, Costin said the EMA wanted to make sure to get a test done for August.

Recent maintenance and testing to sirens in Greencastle should also be over.

"It is my understanding that all of the siren repairs and maintenance for the Greencastle sirens has been completed," Costin said. "So hopefully we should have no more ad hoc siren testing for a while."

The monthly tests will continue until it becomes too cold to conduct them. Sub-zero and icy weather are damaging to the moving parts of sirens.