From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 27, 1975:

The Douglas County Commission this week made a decision intended to end confusion and controversy over severe weather alerts. The issue had centered on whether law enforcement or the Civil Defense coordinator should be the first to receive notices from the National Warning System. It was decided that when the national system alerted the Lawrence Police Department to the possibility of a tornado, the Douglas County Sheriff’s office would be called and a decision about sounding the sirens would be made there. The decision was made on the assumption that Civil Defense Coordinator Chuck Belote would be present in the sheriff’s office during the time of possibly severe weather forecasts and would be able to contribute to the siren-sounding decision. In Belote’s absence, a designated sheriff’s representative would make the decision. Commissioners, however, balked at the idea of designating Sheriff Rex Johnson as supervisor over Belote during uncertain weather. “We expect them to work together,” said commission chair Art Heck. “This system has worked quite well for us in the past and I don’t see any need to change it.” Alerts from the National Warning System could come from Topeka (in the case of tornado sightings) or from Colorado Springs, Co. (in case of nuclear attack).