Be Informed!

Be aware of the kinds of emergencies that could happen in your community, and have a plan on how you can get up-to-date information during an emergency.

In central Indiana, extreme heat and cold, thunderstorms and tornadoes, floods, and winter storms top the list of likely natural disaster causes but don't forget the potential for an earthquake. It's also a good idea to be aware of your surroundings at work and at home, and any potential man-made problems that could arise.

Be informed by picking your sources of emergency notifications now.

  • Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) radios are one method of notification. These radios silently monitor National Weather Service broadcasts 24 hours a day for emergency broadcasts, and sound an alarm when a watch or warning is issued. Currently, SAME codes cover entire counties, meaning your radio will alert for warnings that affect Fishers, but also Sheridan, Noblesville and other parts of Hamilton County. SAME radios typically allow the entry of multiple county codes. This is useful if you live near a county line and may need to be informed of warnings for that area.
  • Internet based services will send a variety of notifications, of your choice, via email or text message. There are countless services available, weather websites, television stations and more, many will meet your needs. Have a smartphone? There's an app for that! Check your app store for the latest and greatest ways to stay on top of things. Many apps are available for free.
  • Local radio and television stations are a good source of information. They often provide minute by minute updates you can't get other places.
  • Outdoor warning sirens generally provide a last-minute warning for people outdoors to find shelter. They should not be relied upon as your only notification method, especially if you are indoors when bad weather is approaching.

Don't Forget

Emergencies that can happen that can happen just to you and your family, like a fire in your home. Be informed about the best kinds of smoke detection, and the type of alarms that will work best to wake you and your children. The smoke alarms found in most homes may not be effective at detecting a smoldering fire, and children are likely to sleep through conventional smoke alarms. Do you need photoelectric smoke detectors in your home? Do you need a different kind of alarm that will be able to wake your child during a fire?