Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
Type: Whelen Hornet
Signal: Wail
Location: Cincinnati Street, Chilo, Clermont County, OH
Definitely one of the better tests I've been to. I called the Franklin Township fire chief prior to the test to make sure this thing was in working order, and he mentioned that MobilComm would actually be out at the Chilo site to make sure it activated for the Wednesday test, as they had been working on it for some time. I took the gamble, figuring if the siren didn't sound I would at least get to talk to the MobilComm guys. Well, it paid off both ways!
On July 2nd, 1997, an F3 tornado struck near Felicity, OH. That day, the EOWS in the center of town was out of service due to a lightning strike, so the only warning siren sounding was the Model 2 at the volunteer fire department, which was being manually activated. In 1998, Franklin Township installed three Hornets to supplement their ineffective system: one on Wagner Road, one on 774 (the one you can hear sounding wail in my recent EOWS video), and one in Chilo (this video's location). The Chilo unit was eventually struck by lightning, and over a period of time underwent a full board and head replacement. That explains the glossy finish on the interior of this siren. The other two Hornets are beginning to have issues, and are having boards replaced as needed.
Believe it or not, this little guy had some punch. While they aren't my favorite siren, this thing is plenty loud for the area its in. Enjoy!
Type: Whelen Hornet
Signal: Wail
Location: Cincinnati Street, Chilo, Clermont County, OH
Definitely one of the better tests I've been to. I called the Franklin Township fire chief prior to the test to make sure this thing was in working order, and he mentioned that MobilComm would actually be out at the Chilo site to make sure it activated for the Wednesday test, as they had been working on it for some time. I took the gamble, figuring if the siren didn't sound I would at least get to talk to the MobilComm guys. Well, it paid off both ways!
On July 2nd, 1997, an F3 tornado struck near Felicity, OH. That day, the EOWS in the center of town was out of service due to a lightning strike, so the only warning siren sounding was the Model 2 at the volunteer fire department, which was being manually activated. In 1998, Franklin Township installed three Hornets to supplement their ineffective system: one on Wagner Road, one on 774 (the one you can hear sounding wail in my recent EOWS video), and one in Chilo (this video's location). The Chilo unit was eventually struck by lightning, and over a period of time underwent a full board and head replacement. That explains the glossy finish on the interior of this siren. The other two Hornets are beginning to have issues, and are having boards replaced as needed.
Believe it or not, this little guy had some punch. While they aren't my favorite siren, this thing is plenty loud for the area its in. Enjoy!
