(BENTON, KY, APRIL 13, 2020) Interference with Marshall County warning sirens was identified during an active weather emergency on Wednesday. A dramatic increase in interference of radio communication dispatched by Marshall County 911 has been noted in recent months. Numerous attempts to identify and mediate the radio issues by 911 and emergency management personnel have resulted in the preliminary determination that the source of these issues is of an external nature.
On Wednesday, April 8, Marshall County was placed under a severe thunderstorm warning, prompting emergency services to activate siren warnings as outlined in their policy. Multiple attempts were made to activate the sirens but were unsuccessful due to signals on the frequency
designated for siren activation causing the frequency to be jammed and unable to be utilized by 911 dispatchers. Sirens were ultimately activated due to the diligent work of personnel to overcome the interference, but warning time to the public was significantly delayed.
As a result of this incident, a formal written criminal complaint has been filed by Emergency Management with the following agencies: Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police Communications Enforcement Division, FCC Regional Enforcement Division, KY Department of Homeland Security Criminal Investigations Division, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Criminal Investigations Division.
State and federal agencies expressed to Marshall County Emergency Management that this is a direct threat to public safety.
A request for radio interference direction and distance assessment teams to respond to Marshall County has been made. These resources would begin an aggressive sweep to identify the source of the interference.