The Kokomo Fire Department will open its stations to people who live in mobile homes if they need a place to stay during a tornado warning.
All six of Kokomo‘s fire stations will be storm shelters for the city‘s mobile home residents whenever a tornado warning is in effect.
"None of the mobile home communities currently have tornado shelters within them," said Pat O‘Neill, Kokomo Fire Chief, adding that mobile homes are often the most dangerous places to be during a tornado.
O‘Neill says the opening of the stations is a response to residents who have asked for a safer place to stay, but he says the fire stations will not be long-term shelters for anyone if storms cause damage.
The Red Cross will make arrangements for long term help that anyone needs. While firefighters wouldn‘t turn away anyone who needed a safe place during a storm, O‘Neill says they home those with regular homes will stay put.
"People with ordinary home construction with basements, their homes are just as safe as the fire station," said O‘Neill.