Things to Know About Our Warning System
A central control computer or encoder, operated by Haltom City Public Safety Communications personnel, sends a secure digital message to each siren, telling the siren to operate. The message is capable of activating one or all sirens by zoning capability. Once the siren receives the message, a motor turns the siren, allowing it to broadcast the warning in all directions.

The system in Haltom City is a network of five warning sirens placed on poles fifty feet from the ground surface. These warning sirens are placed in strategically located areas throughout the city.

When is the System Activated?
In Haltom City, residents can experience a variety of emergencies, including the affects of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and hazardous materials accidents. Additionally, 10 to 15 percent of the city is in the flood plain and subject to severe flooding. The warning system would be used to notify the public of these conditions or any other type of emergency. The warning system may be activated for severe weather which may include, sustained winds of 55 miles per hour or greater, hail one inch or larger, flash flooding conditions, or at times when the National Weather Service is tracking a tornado or severe storms which could affect residents in Haltom City. There may be isolated emergencies that would warrant activation of the warning system such as hazardous materials or hazardous substance spills or releases (gas leaks, etc.)

Outdoor Warning Test Procedure
There will only be one tone for an emergency or a test. The difference between a test and an actually emergency warning will be the length of time the siren is activated. If an emergency arises you will hear the sound for a minimum of three minutes whereas a test will only sound for a maximum time of one minute. The sound will be a steady tone and is called an alert tone.