It’s a test, only a test. 

Beginning Sept. 3 and continuing each month, Hatboro will try out its tornado siren. With any luck, the monthly testing will be the only time residents hear the fire siren in civil defense mode.

“That siren has a different mode to it,” Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner said. “It’s a steady tone rather than an up and down.”

In the event of a tornado, Gardner said the siren could be activated either at the police station or at Enterprise Fire Company. The siren would sound for three minutes during emergency situations, as compared to the one-minute sounding slated for Sept. 3 at noon. Officials said drills would be carried out the first Saturday of every month at noon.

Borough Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander said the idea is to make the tornado siren sound “familiar” to the public.

Once thought to be a weather emergency reserved for the Midwest, Gardner noted that local tornado sightings, or suspected tornadoes, have become more commonplace lately. Earlier this summer, a tornado was believed to have touched down in Horsham. If a tornado should reach the borough, officials say they hope to be prepared – at least in terms of notifying the public. 

“When we get a warning, it’s important to get the word out to people,” Gardner said.

Another help in keeping residents and business owners informed, Gardner said, is to consider purchasing a weather alert radio. At just $20 or $40, he said the money would be well spent in the event of an emergency. 

See attached PDF for tornado safety tips from the American Red Cross.