Tuesday, June 30, 1998
Constraint on calls during emergencies sought
By Jefferson Wolfe
Staff Writer
Tiffin police are asking citizens to hold all non-emergency phone calls during severe weather like the area has experienced the past few days.
Police Chief Tom Steyer said citizens immediately should report fallen trees and power lines, EMS or fire emergencies, crimes in progress or traffic accidents. However, some citizens have called the last few nights during a storm emergency to report flooded basements or car break-ins from a week before.
Dispatcher Karen O'Connor said the department received more than 100 calls during Sunday evening's storm, many of which did not involve emergencies.
She said many people asked what to do and where to go during severe weather. Steyer said before severe weather develops, families should make emergency plans, because during an emergency it may be too late.
He said an important part of an emergency plan for storms and tornadoes should involve staying indoors in a room with no windows, Steyer said.
There are many storm and safety pamphlets available through the Seneca County Emergency Managment Agency explaining what to do during such emergencies.
In some situations, officials will activate sirens throughout the county. Citizens called police during the last three days to ask about what the sirens meant. O'Connor said she activates Tiffin's sirens during a tornado warning when a tornado has been spotted.
There is no all-clear signal for when the conditions are over, Steyer said. The cable television company and radio stations receive reports from emergency officials during severe weather and citizens should watch TV or listen to the radio for storm updates rather than call the police department, Steyer said.