Bippus Volunteer Fire Department

As always they did an excellent job

🚨 Recognition Post 🚨

When severe storms and tornado warnings moved through our county on the evening of June 11, the calls came in faster than anyone could count. Reports of downed trees, damaged property, blocked roadways, and citizens needing help poured into the communications center. Through it all, our dispatchers remained calm, focused, and professional.

We want to recognize and thank the dedicated men and women of Huntington County Public Safety Dispatch for their unwavering commitment during an incredibly demanding event. Despite the overwhelming call volume and rapidly changing situations, they continued to answer every call with compassion, gather critical information, and provide reassurance to those experiencing some of their most stressful moments.

We would also like to recognize those dispatchers who, despite being off duty, immediately answered the call for help. Without hesitation, they came into the center to assist their coworkers and support the community they serve. Their willingness to set aside personal plans, leave the comfort of their home, and step in during a time of need speaks volumes about the character, dedication, and selflessness of this team. Public safety doesn’t stop when a shift ends, and neither did they.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to our Deputy Director of Emergency Management who remained present in the center throughout the incident. By maintaining communication with County Highway personnel and coordinating reports of downed trees and blocked roadways, they helped alleviate a significant portion of the workload and ensured that vital information was relayed efficiently to the appropriate agencies.

Moments like these remind us that emergency response is truly a team effort. Behind every siren is a dispatcher coordinating the response, keeping responders informed, and serving as the calm voice on the other end of the line. While much of their work happens behind the scenes and often goes unseen, their impact was felt throughout our entire community during this event.

To every dispatcher (on & off duty) who stepped up, emergency management professional, highway worker, and first responder involved…thank you for your dedication, teamwork, and unwavering service to Huntington County.

When our community needed you most, you answered the call.

💛📞🌪️🚔🚒🚑

⚠️ Outdoor Warning Siren Reminder ⚠️

If the outdoor warning sirens sound more than once, this DOES NOT mean there is an “all clear.”

Huntington County’s outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to:
• Seek shelter immediately
• Stay sheltered
• Seek additional information from official sources

There is NO all-clear siren. If the sirens activate again, continue to remain alert and monitor trusted sources such as:
• National Weather Service
• Local media
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Huntington County EMA alerts and social media

Remember:
🚨 Sirens are meant to alert people OUTDOORS.
📱 Always have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially while indoors or sleeping.

By the authority of the Huntington County Commissioners, Huntington County is now under a Travel Watch (Orange) as a proactive measure due to worsening winter weather conditions.

A Travel Watch means conditions are threatening to public safety. During a Travel Watch, only essential travel, such as travel to and from work or for emergency situations, is recommended. Businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations should review and implement their emergency action plans as appropriate.

While snowfall amounts vary across the county, road conditions are continuing to deteriorate due to snow-covered roads, drifting on county roads, and icy conditions. Conditions are expected to worsen as additional snow and drifting continue, particularly later today and into the evening hours.

Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and use extreme caution if travel is unavoidable.

A map of all Indiana counties currently under a Travel Advisory, Watch, or Warning can be found here:
https://www.in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/