The Eldon Fire & Rescue is funded by the City of Eldon through tax dollars. This is a volunteer department and no members are paid.
Outdoor Fire Safety
Here are some safety tips for cooking on the grill and backyard fires.
- Move the grill away from siding, decking, and other things that can catch fire.
- Stay with the grill the entire time you’re cooking.
- Use long-handled barbecue tools when cooking on the grill.
- Use a metal screen over wood-burning fires to keep sparks from floating out.
- Turn off or put out fires before you leave the backyard.
- Build campfires at least 15 feet away from tent walls, shrubs or other things that burn.
- The best way to stay safe from fireworks is to not use them.
Burning of yard waste, leaves and brush is allowed. Such burning is allowable only when wind conditions are appropriate and must be contained and supervised at all times. Burning is not allowed in streets or alleys. Burning of trash and household garbage and scrap building materials is not allowed.
Eldon’s Outdoor Warning System
The warning system is in place to warn residents of tornados or severe thunderstorms with wind speeds expected to reach or exceed 70 mph.
When the sirens are activated, go inside to the lowest level, most-interior room of the structure and tune to NOAA All-Hazards Radio or the local media for more detailed information on the storm’s location, timing, and intensity.
The intent of the sirens is to provide ample warning for persons to seek shelter and additional information before the storm hits. Because of this, sirens may sound before hazardous conditions exist. Due to the nature of severe weather, hazardous conditions may also develop before an activation of the sirens is possible.
The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA All-Hazards Radio, and the local media.
Outdoor warning sirens shall be tested on the first Saturday of each month at 12:00pm (noon). A “growl” test may be performed on the third Saturday of each month at 12:00pm. A “growl” test activates the system without the full audible alert.
If a severe weather watch or warning is in effect for Wapello County area prior to 12:00pm. on a scheduled test day, the sirens should not be tested that day. Outdoor warning siren tests will resume on the next scheduled monthly date.
