Weather Alerts

Up-to-date Weather Information

Local Weather - National Weather Service

Current Local Radar - National Weather Service

Severe Weather Siren Information

New System Information

In July of 2002 a fund raising effort began to upgrade the Towns Severe Weather Siren system. The 17 year old siren was beginning to lose it's effectiveness. 4 new sirens strategically placed to provide outdoor weather warning for our residents replaced the old siren. The sirens are located on the east side of town at the Aquatics Center, on the south side in the Industrial park, on the school hill, on the corner of Keeley St. and E. Campbell St, and on the west side at Fulford Park. The $40,000 system was purchased through donations, locally supported golf tournaments and a grant.

The new system is radio controlled by the police dispatch and has the ability to add personal warning devices in the home and business.

Severe Weather Siren Activation Guidelines

Severe Weather Sirens shall be activated under any one of the following criteria:

  1. A Tornado Warning is issued for Southern Johnson, Northern Bartholomew or Southwestern Shelby Counties by the National Weather Service.
  2. When a Public Safety Officer reports sighting a Funnel Cloud or a Tornado in the Edinburgh area.
  3. When Southern Johnson County, Northern Bartholomew County, or Southwestern Shelby County is under a Tornado Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued at the same time.
  4. When directed to activate the Severe Weather Sirens by the Edinburgh Fire Chief, the Edinburgh Town Marshal, the Town Council President, or their designees.

In time of threatening severe weather, the Severe Weather Sirens will continually sound.Once severe weather or Tornado conditions pass through our area, we DO NOT sound an all-clear signal. This has proven to be very confusing to residents. Local weather broadcasts are your best source of information pertaining to severe weather as it approaches and when it passes through our area.

Seeking Shelter From Severe Weather

Places of shelter from severe weather will vary greatly depending on facility designs and the availability of designated underground areas of shelter.

The best shelter available is underground.This can be a basement, cellar, storage area or a specifically built severe weather enclosure. Once in an underground area, stay away from any windows and away from objects that could become flying projectiles in the event of a Tornado.

In the absence of any underground protection, move to the smallest interior room on the ground floor. Stay away from any windows and items that could become flying projectiles. Try to cover yourself with a mattress or other solid protective surface.

If you live in a mobile home, your park manager may have a pre-designated shelter area for you.

In an office environment check with your employer's emergency action plans. This can involve going to the ground floor or to an interior closet or room. If this is not an option, your best choice would be to position yourself under a desk on the ground floor to protect you form falling and flying objects.

If you are out driving, walking, etc. during a Tornado, stop your car and go to the lowest lying land available. Stay aware of moving water and the potential for flash flooding during severe storms.

Severe Weather Siren Test

The Severe Weather Sirens are tested every Friday at 11 am. This weekly test will consist of a brief 20-second blast from the sirens. Use this opportunity to familiarize yourself and you family with the sound of the sirens. If severe weather is a threat for that time, the test will be postponed.

Severe Weather Alert Levels

Our Department uses a series of Alert Levels to notify its personnel of pending weather situations. The 5 Level Alert System is described below:

Level 5 Alert:Severe Thunderstorm Watch
This level of alert is issued when a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued for the Edinburgh area. This Alert will be in effect for 5 hours unless extended or canceled depending on weather conditions.

Level 4 Alert:Tornado Watch
This level of alert is issued when a Tornado Watch is issued for the Edinburgh area.This alert will be in effect for 5 hours unless extended or canceled depending on weather conditions.

Level 3 Alert:Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning
This level of alert is issued when a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued for any part of Johnson, Shelby or Bartholomew Counties and severe weather is possible for Edinburgh. This alert will be in effect until a specific time mentioned, or a higher alert level is issued.

Level 2 Alert:Severe Thunderstorm Warning For Edinburgh
This level of alert is issued when a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for Edinburgh. With this alert, Edinburgh Fire & Rescue personnel report to Fire Station 1 for weather standby. This alert will be in effect until a specific time mentioned, or a higher alert level is issued.

Level 1 Alert:Tornado Warning For Edinburgh
This level of alert is issued when a Tornado Warning is issued for Edinburgh. With this alert, Edinburgh Fire & Rescue personnel report to Fire Station 1 for weather standby. This alert will be in effect until a specific time mentioned.


Stations & Apparatus

Station Tours
Members of the Edinburgh Fire Department encourages groups of all types to take a tour of our fire stations. Tours allow the public to see the fire apparatus, ambulances and rescue units up close and ask questions regarding department responses and activities.

Tours are provided by appointment only.

To schedule a station tour fill out the tour request form.

Open Burning Laws

Open Burning Ordinance

Local Ordinance 2012-8 covers the burning of combustible materials passed on June 25, 2012. No open fires are permitted except with approved fuel and in approved containers. It is illegal to burn trash, asphalt products, treated, painted or composite wood products, plastic, rubber or paper products. Outdoor burning exemptions include campfires and recreational fires if conducted on a commercial grill or in a stone, masonry or metal fire pit located no closer than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest structure. An adult must be present at all times until the fire is completely extinguished and a water hose or extinguishing device must be available. Permissible fuels are commercial gas for a grill or clean wood for a fire pit and shall not exceed 4 feet by 4 feet by 2 feet. The Town’s Fire Chief and Police Officers are charged with enforcing this ordinance and could issue citations with penalties up to $500 for violations. For more information, residents are encouraged to review the Open Burn Ordinance.

Classes & Programs

Learn Not To Burn Preschool Program

The Edinburgh Fire & Rescue uses the Learn Not to Burn Preschool Programas the building blocks for fire safety education for the children in our community. It is designed for early childhood educators to use to create a unit that is appropriate to the developmental levels of our students. We build from the 8 key fire safety behaviors taught to preschool children as the child grows and matures.

8 Key Fire Safety Behaviors for Preschool Children

  1. Stay away from hot things that can hurt.
    1. The child will identify hot things that can hurt and knows not to touch them.
  2. Tell a grown-up when you find matches or lighters.
    1. The child knows that matches and lighters can get hot and hurt them
  3. Stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire.
    1. Child will know what to do if their clothes catch on fire.
  4. Cool a burn.
    1. Child can recite the correct first-aid procedure for minor burns
  5. Crawl low under smoke.
    1. The child can describe what to do if there is lots of smoke.
  6. Know the sound of the smoke detector / alarm.
    1. The child will describe the sound of the smoke detector when it's warning of smoke.
    2. The child will know that they must escape the building or home.
  7. Practice an escape plan.
    1. Child will describe routes to take from the care center to the outside and describe the agreed-upon meeting place outside
  8. Recognize the fire fighter as a helper.
    1. Child will recognize the different clothing and equipment use by the fire fighter and identify them as a friendly helper.

These key safety behaviors are taught in a non-threatening way. Fire is frightening, so every effort is made not to scare the children, but rather teach them what to do if they find themselves in danger from fires or burns.

Ambulance Service

Fire Department Staff