Be Ready for Tornado Season
Information to help You be Prepared
Resolve to Be Ready in Three Steps
Would you and your family be prepared in the event of an emergency? Three simple and effective steps can help you make sure the answer is "yes:"
Build an emergency supply kit. - Make a family emergency communication plan.
- Be informed about the types of emergencies and the appropriate response.
Washington Township urges residents to familiarize themselves with these steps through the Resolve to be Ready Campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The program educates and empowers families and businesses to prepare for and respond to a range of emergencies, including power outages, icy roads and natural disasters. The Ready.Gov web site provides detailed instructions and checklists to make sure home and business kits are complete. According to the Department of Homeland Security, residents who follow the Resolve to Be Ready Program are better prepared.
Ways to Get Information in an Emergency
In the event of an emergency, Washington Township will use these information outlets, to the extent they are available, to provide emergency updates:
1. CodeRED emergency phone notification.
2. Centerville High School radio station, WCWT 107.3 FM
3. Washington Township Facebook and Twitter notifications
4. Washington Township web site
CodeRED Provides Quick Notification in Emergencies
In order to inform residents, Washington Township uses CodeRED, an emergency alert system that relays information to residents by phone. The high-speed messaging system can deliver customized emergency notification and instructions at a rate of 60,000 calls per hour.
It's now easier than ever to register for CodeRED alerts. Simply text "WASHINGTONTWP" to 99411 to receive a direct link to the enrollment form on your mobile device.
Residential landline telephones automatically receive CodeRED messages. Washington Township businesses must register if they wish to receive emergency notification. Residents should register if they:
- Want their cell phone called
- Want to provide a work phone as a back-up to their home phone
- Want to provide a caregiver back-up number
- Recently moved and kept their old phone number
- Have changed their phone number in the past six months
- Use a TDD/TTY
Register your phone number for CodeRED
Where to Tune Your Radio in an Emergency
In the event of an emergency, residents of Centerville/Washington Township can stay informed by turning their dial to the Centerville High School radio station, WCWT 107.3 FM.
The educational radio station has operated from Centerville High School for many years and provides information about early school closures, weather and local emergencies. In the past, 1290 WHIO-AM also has provided emergency updates. The station simulcasts at 95.7 FM.
Outdoor Warning Sirens
The sirens are activated for tornado warnings and potentially used in the event of other emergencies. When the sirens are activated, you should seek shelter in an indoor room or basement and tune to your local radio or TV channel for more information.
Washington Township Fire Department conducts monthly checks of the 12 alert sirens located throughout Centerville/Washington Township. If you live near a siren, you can help make sure it's working properly by listening for the sound at the monthly testing time and contacting fire headquarters with test results. Siren testing takes place on the first Monday of every month between noon to 12:30 pm and on the first day of spring during a state-wide test of alert sirens.
Siren Map
Check the Washington Township map to see if an outdoor warning siren is near your home. Find it here.
For any questions or concerns on Outdoor Warning Sirens, please contact Fire Headquarters at (937) 433-3083.