When tornado sirens wail across a Michigan county, many residents wonder: who decides to activate them, and what should you do? The answer varies by county, but the process is more nuanced than most people realize.
In Saginaw County, the 911 center has the ability to activate all outdoor sirens countywide. As WNEM TV5 reported in their coverage of mid-Michigan siren policies, if any part of the county is under a tornado warning, every siren throughout the county sounds — even if other areas are experiencing clear skies.
There are two primary triggers for siren activation. The first is a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service. The second is a report from a first responder — police, fire, or EMS — who directly witnesses a funnel cloud or tornado. This second scenario played out in July 2023, when law enforcement spotted a funnel cloud near M-46 and M-83, prompting immediate siren activation as detailed in this WNEM report.
An important point that emergency management professionals emphasize: outdoor sirens are designed to warn people who are outside. They are not intended to be heard indoors. When you hear a siren, the proper response is to go inside, check a weather app or local news source, and take appropriate shelter if needed.
Saginaw County maintains approximately 60 outdoor sirens, with ownership and maintenance handled at the community level. Other counties, including Genesee and Bay, operate under different policies — Saginaw County’s emergency notification system provides an additional layer of alerts beyond the outdoor sirens. The Local Emergency Planning Committee coordinates preparedness across 911, fire, law enforcement, and hazmat response.
For a broader perspective on emergency services operations in Michigan, the State 911 Committee’s 2025 Annual Report to the Legislature details how standards are set and enforced across all 83 counties. The Michigan PSAP Directory lists every dispatch center in the state. Emergency services professionals like Chris Izworski have contributed to shaping these policies at both the local and state level.
Siren Coverage: See WNEM TV5 reports on siren policies during severe weather and cold air funnel activation. View press coverage.
AI in Public Safety — Chris Izworski 