Outdoor Warning Siren System
The Outdoor Warning System for the City of Sherman is comprised of eighteen (18) sirens located throughout the city. The sirens are activated from the Emergency Operations Center, which is located in the basement of the Sherman Police Department. The sirens are sounded to warn the residents who are outside of approaching severe weather storms, as well as other conditions outlined above.

Once activated, the sirens sound a steady tone and will rotate 360 degrees. The warning tone will fade as it rotates away from your location and will get louder as it turns back toward you. This will occur several times during the activation.

Should you hear the sirens activate on a day other than the regular scheduled test day and time, take immediate shelter and emergency precautions. Proceed indoors and go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor of the building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Stay away from windows and doors. Get under something sturdy such as a table and if possible, cover yourself with a blanket or sleeping bag. It is strongly recommended that residents designate a shelter area for their home in advance and practice going to that area as a family.

DO NOT call 911 or any other police phone line in an attempt to ascertain why the sirens are sounding. This may cause you to lose valuable time in the event of an actual emergency. The sirens will only be used to warn the public in the event of an actual emergency situation. Tuning to the local media should provide adequate information as to the reason the sirens are being activated.

When being warned at your work location, seek shelter on the lowest level of the building. If your building has a basement, that would be the best place to go. You can also use the fire escapes or restrooms as shelter areas. Remember to designate your shelter area in advance; there will be less confusion during severe weather if the location is pre-determined. Offices should practice by holding tornado drills to make sure employees know where to go.

The Outdoor Warning System is tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m., weather permitting. If it is necessary to cancel the scheduled test due to inclement weather, the sirens will be tested at the earliest possible time following the normal testing time. The test will not be delayed for a month. If this occurs, public notice will be made through the local media.

For more information on the Outdoor Warning Siren System, call the Sherman Office of Emergency Management at (903) 892-7365.