Are we ready for what spring will bring!!

The last few days have sparked some "Spring Fever" for me and I imagine it has for you too. It is amazing how much warmer 45-degree weather is in the spring than in the fall, or maybe it just feels that way.

As we wait on spring I think of fishing; fishing with my sons and fishing with the grandkids. I think you know where I am going here.

The downside of spring is always the weather events that can bring disaster, flooding, severe storms, and of course, tornadoes.

With people preparing for some harder times in our economy and job issues, trying to get by is on everyone's mind. One of the things I have always been a believer in is doing things to preserve our lives and the lives of our families.

I promote smoke alarms and seat belts in everything I do as a firefighter. As I train firefighters, young and old, I tell them if we want to make firefighting an easier job smoke alarms and seat belts save lives and we need to make sure everyone knows that.

I know we need to expand on this thought and consider what else might be needed; we need to add another item to the life saving equipment, the Weather Alert Radio.

As we see the news casts from across the nation showing the impact of severe weather events in Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Missouri, just to name a few, it should be telling us these potential events in Indiana are just around the corner.

I wish I had a grant to help everyone purchase one of the weather alert units, but I don't. Maybe someday that will happen, but not right now.

However, if you don't have one, what is your excuse?

They are in almost every department store; I have seen them in Wal-Mart, K-mart, Radio Shack, and Hardware Stores. You can go online and find them by just Googling weather alert or radio.

They're not priced too expensive; ranging from $19.95 and up, you may find them on sale for even less. Most of these have battery backup so they even work if the power is out.

If you're getting a tax return, now is the time to make a great investment in the safety of your family. They can even be a great gift.

A few years ago, I remember what Brazil looked like when the straight-line winds came through, the havoc it caused and how long it took to get vital services restored.

If you remember that, I want to let you know a tornado would be even worse.

At 3 a.m., who is going to call you and tell you there is a storm coming? What will wake you up before it hits? Will you have any chance to get into a safe place?

If your answer to any of these questions was the tornado sirens around Brazil, think again.

Weather sirens are for people that are outside where they will not hear or see weather information as it is broadcast. Your "indoor" link to vital safety messages for severe weather is the NOAA Weather Radio!

Please think about this message. Spring will be here before you know it, and so will severe weather. We need to be ready.