Joplin holding 'bump tests' for outdoor sirens - KOAM TV 7

Joplin is testing and upgrading all of their outdoor emergency sirens around town as well as adding two new sirens on Missouri Southern State University and Ozark Christian College campuses.

With classes just around the corner MSSU's Color Guard is working hard from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. to practice for game day.  But they aren't the only one's squeezing in a little practice.

Jasper County Emergency Management is also practicing what they call 'bump tests' on their outdoor emergency siren system's new software, something MSSU received only two months ago.

"These are outdoor warning sirens designed to warn people who are out of doors to go indoors and seek shelter," says Jasper County Emergency Management Director Keith Stammer.  "This is a prime example here at Missouri Southern - you have the stadium to the south, people out on the grounds - they need to be warned to go inside."

This is the first time the City of Joplin chose to run a 'bump test' on all 27 of their sirens and according to the city all are in working order, and that makes incoming freshman and band baton twirler Victoria Bass feel a little more secure going into football season.

"I'll be out here twirling with the band and then all the football players and parents and everybody that comes - we can actually here it, right here, and everybody on campus will too," says Bass.

During severe weather the sirens play on a loud loop that can be heard outdoors from over a mile away reminding everyone to get inside to safety as soon as possible.

Stammer also suggests the public buy a weather radio and some type cell phone weather alert system app to ensure safety whether at home or on the go.