Columbus, Georgia

Columbus Consolidated Government

Referrals From Mayor and Council-09/21/2004





Subject Sirens



Description Have the staff to look into a complaint from one of his

constituents who was unable to hear the sirens in her home during the recent

storms. Also, let?s look at possibly removing the language and just make the

alarm louder. (Request of Councilor Allen)



Received From



Assigned To Roy Waters, Riley Land



Please enter a date mm/dd/yy before any comments are added.

Response 9/23/04 Response from Riley Land, Deputy Director EM Div./Columbus

Fire and Emergency Medical Services: I note that you mention that the citizen

cannot hear the siren in her house. This is not unusual as the system was

purchased, installed, and information was put forth that the system is designed

to warn persons that are outdoors away from other warning sources such as

radio, t.v. or NOAA Tone Alert Radio. When we speak about the system and all

published documents identify the system as the "Outdoor Emergency Warning Siren

System".



We have conducted public information campaigns in print, on local t.v. and

radio interviews as well as information programming on our own CCGTV that

emphasizes this point. We have 48 siren sites strategically located

throughout the jurisdiction based on various engineering criteria to provide

the best sound coverage for those outdoors. We have no hopes of ever placing

enough sirens to be able to provide a minimum of 70 db sound levels in every

home. With newer construction methods designed to be more energy efficient and

in older retrofitted homes the sound is blocked out with the heat and cold.

Further we would be in competition with sound producing appliances

in the home such as radios, t.v.'s and normal household ambient noise.



We can investigate removing the voice messages and I will begin immediately to

do this, but I will advise up front that this will be at a significant cost.

Every chip in all 48 sirens will need to be reprogrammed at the factory. I

will get a price as soon as possible for reference.

The down side to that will the loss of the educational value that we may

benefit from each Saturday at noon. With the voice explaining what each of the

3 tones used during the test citizens can familiarize themselves with the

meanings of the tones as they are produced. During a storm or severe weather

event the voice message is almost inconsequential as the warning tone is the

real message. Unfortunately, the sirens cannot not be made louder. They are

set for maximum volume at the factory. Each siren that we have in place is

doing the best that it can.



In summary, I believe that we are providing outstanding warning at good sound

levels for those persons that are outside during an event and are unable to

access other warning methods. Personally, I am ambivalent as to whether the

voice message accompanies the warning tone but if pressed I would fall on the

side of keeping it. It would be very expensive to have it removed and I'm

convinced that there is as many people that like the voice message as those

that do not. I am certainly open to more discussion and will be glad to act on

any recommendations that may arise from these discussions. Please, if the

opportunity presents itself encourage all citizens to purchase a NOAA Tone

Alert radio for their homes. They are fairly inexpensive and could provide

lifesaving warning for those in the home, especially at night during sleep

times.