Commission debates siren protocol and Everbridge alert gaps after local tornado warnings

Several commissioners and guests pressed the commission to clarify who may activate county or local tornado whistles after a recent event in which some residents said they received Everbridge alerts and others did not.

Rich Bochek, identifying himself as an assistant fire chief from Ada, said spotters saw rotation and that the sheriff’s office had instructed not to sound the sirens until a tornado was visible. "The sheriff department had told me not to blow the whistle," he said, recounting the exchange. Later in a heated moment he told commissioners, "Blow the damn whistle," urging that spotters should err on the side of caution when radar indicates a threat.

Commissioners described mixed experiences with the Everbridge emergency notification system: some said they received texts, calls and emails; others said they did not receive any alerts. The commission directed staff to check signup and delivery details for Everbridge and agreed to meet with the sheriff and local fire chiefs to reconcile authority and ensure consistent public notification procedures. No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting.