Darling Governor Mitch Daniels has declared March 5-11 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week, according to Carroll County E m e r g e n c y Management A g e n c y Director Justin Darling.

D a r l i n g advised the purpose of the declaration is for EMA to practice with e m e r g e n c y responders and community members about what to do in case of tornadoes and other types of severe weather.

“March 8 is the date for the state-wide tornado exercises,” Darling said.

He explained two drills are planned that day. One will happen in the morning for the benefit of school participation and the majority of the workforce who will be at their workplace.

The second drill will be in the evening to allow families the opportunity to practice their own personal safety measures within their homes and communities.

Darling said after the state initiates a warning, it goes to the Indiana State Police who relays it to dispatch at the sheriff’s department. The sheriff’s department contacts area fire departments by radio and they in turn will sound the warning sirens.

Darling said he will be contacted by the sheriff’s department or alerted directly by the National Weather Service.

According to the State of Indiana’s Emergency Response Division’s notification, local emergency personnel are encouraged to review warning and communications policies, update alerting lists and test warning local systems.

Darling reported the county is “in the midst of updating the local plan.”

“Our local emergency responders think all hazards warning sirens should be initiated by the sheriff’s department or by EMA,” he said.

Darling stressed there is a need for all residents to own “weather and all hazards alert radios.”

“People who live in outlying areas cannot hear hazards alerts,” he said.

“Or a warning could be sounded late at night when people are asleep,” he continued. “We want all residents to be as safe as possible.”

“Alert radios can be purchased at places like Radio Shack or online and they cost between $30 and $50. This is very reasonable for the protection they afford,” Darling concluded.

Darling encouraged area residents to contact him at (765) 564-4243 with questions and concerns.