Vinton County EMA Oversees Emergency Alert Systems for Resident Safety

When outdoor warning sirens activate across Vinton County at noon on the last Monday of the month, it is not an emergency. It is a test, and the Vinton County Emergency Management Agency wants every resident to recognize the difference.

Siren tests occur on the last Monday of each month at 12 noon, according to the EMA's current announcement. The agency, directed by Bill Faught and based at 106 South Market Street in McArthur, serves as the county's central coordinating body for preparedness, response, and recovery — covering threats that range from severe weather to hazardous chemical releases.

The agency is organized in accordance with sections 5502.26 and 5502.27 of the Ohio Revised Code for the purpose of coordinating, organizing, administering, and operating emergency management within the county. It is operated by a director and governed by an Executive Committee comprised of county and township officials. The agency has previously obtained grants for the purchase of outdoor warning sirens, first responder communications equipment, and other emergency equipment.

The EMA does not operate in isolation. The agency works closely with local fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, and county offices, as well as the LEPC, Ohio EMA, American Red Cross of Southeastern Ohio, and many other organizations committed to the preparation, response, and recovery from all hazards in Vinton County and surrounding areas.

The Local Emergency Planning Committee is organized in conjunction with the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act and the State Emergency Response Commission in an effort to improve the awareness of and response to hazardous chemical incidents in Vinton County. The central point of contact for the LEPC is the EMA Director, who also serves as the chair of the committee.

Beyond the sirens themselves, the EMA urges residents to build redundancy into their personal alerting. The agency recommends keeping a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards receiver with a warning alarm tone and battery backup at home, monitoring the National Weather Service online, and listening to commercial radio or television during threatening weather. Before heading outdoors for extended periods, check the forecast. Vinton County has also changed its provider for mass emergency notification to Hyper Reach; residents can sign up at the Hyper Reach enrollment page or call 740-669-7798.

The EMA and its Executive Committee hold quarterly meetings throughout the year. Full quarterly EMA meetings are scheduled for January 8, April 9, July 9, and October 8, 2026, all beginning at noon. Executive Committee sessions fall on January 5, April 6, July 6, and October 5, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are held at the EOC located in the Vinton County Sheriff's Office.

The EMA office at 106 South Market Street in McArthur can be reached at 740-596-3524, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Residents with questions about hazardous materials, siren coverage, or preparedness resources can also email ema@vintonco.com. When sirens sound outside of the scheduled last-Monday test, treat it as a real alert and move indoors immediately.