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Fire chiefs, sheriff disagree on who should trigger tornado sirens after delayed alerts
Summary
An Ada-area assistant fire chief told commissioners spotters and local fire chiefs should be empowered to sound tornado whistles when radar indicates rotation; the commission asked staff to coordinate policy with dispatch and the sheriff's office after mixed Everbridge reception and late siren activation.
Local first responders told the commission they received inconsistent warnings during a recent severe-weather episode and that delays left residents uncertain whether to shelter. Rich Bocek, assistant fire chief in Ada, said spotters and local fire chiefs should have clear authority to trigger sirens when they observe rotation or receive radar guidance.
"If the tornado is coming through, time is everything," Bocek said, arguing that spotters on the ground should be authorized to call dispatch to set off warnings rather than waiting for a county‑level permission that could arrive too late. Multiple commissioners said Everbridge messages (text/phone/email) were unevenly received and asked staff to confirm who is signed up and whether the system worked as intended.
Commissioners and staff agreed to schedule follow-up discussions with the sheriff's office and area fire chiefs, and to examine the county's emergency operations plan and dispatch protocols to clarify roles for siren activation. No policy change was adopted at the meeting.
