Spartanburg County to Conduct Tornado Siren Test and Code Red Notification Alert

Spartanburg County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a community preparedness drill on Wednesday, March 11th beginning at 9 a.m. EST as part of the America’s PrepareAthon! campaign.

The drill will coincide with the South Carolina Statewide Tornado Drill to be conducted by NOAA-National Weather Service and the South Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). Spartanburg County is the first county in the state to participate in the America’s PrepareAthon! initiative. This national campaign, promoted by FEMA, encourages local communities to promote awareness to action among its citizens, businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, and non-profit partners. The overarching goal of Spartanburg County’s PrepareAthon! SM is to increase the number of residents and businesses who understand the hazards most relevant to their community, know protective measures, and how to increase preparedness with drills and exercises.

A day prior to the drill, all residents and businesses will receive a Code Red Notification via their landline phone making them aware of this initiative, asking them to not be alarmed by 9am weather warning notifications, and encouraging them to participate. In addition to the drill, the Spartanburg County Office of Emergency Management (SCOEM) will coordinate preparedness activities with various businesses and organizations. Spartanburg Regional Hospital, as well as Mary Black hospital systems, will be conducting a tornado exercise for their employees; Spartanburg County schools will be conducting drills; and emergency response personnel will be participating in a Tornado Table Top Exercise (TTE) at the county’s emergency operations center.

A press conference with FEMA, the National Weather Service (Greer), and county officials will be held following the exercise at 12 pm EST at the county’s emergency operations center on Magnolia Street.