MEDORA — Medora Town Marshal Jeff Walters wanted to have a tornado siren installed within the town and now he has accomplished that goal with assistance from others.
Medora Community School Corporation provided a spot for a siren near the FFA building across from George Street. The school corporation will provide the electrical service to the siren.
During the Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety meeting in December 2022, Seymour Fire Chief Brad Lucas asked for permission to donate two sirens that were replaced in Seymour. The sirens are still in good working condition, but are now excess inventory to the Town of Medora. The Board approved the donation unanimously.
George Berry with Jackson County REMC donated equipment and manpower to install the pole. The siren then had to be lifted and attached to the pole, a process that would cost around $2,000.
Others then volunteered their services, Brad Robinson with Mitchell & Stark Construction, donated the equipment and a crane to hoist the siren to the pole. Bobby Bowman with Bowman’s Tree Service donated his time to attach the siren to the pole, and Watts Up Electrical contributed by hooking up electricity to the siren to make it functional.
The sirens have sounded three times since their installation which was completed in June.
Next, a switch to activate the siren needs to be installed at Jackson County Sheriff’s Department dispatch center. With the help of Josh and Todd LePage and Nick Klinger, assistant director of the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency that is being accomplished.
Currently, the siren is being activated by the Seymour Police Department, but once the switch is installed at the Sheriff’s Department, the siren will sound along with Crothersville’s and Freetown’s.
Marshal Walters would like to thank those who provided funding, such as the Community Foundation of Jackson County, Owen-Carr Township Community Fund, and Jackson Lodge 146 Free & Accepted Masons.
