Fire chief says city will upgrade weather-siren activation to 800 MHz band; item placed on consent agenda

At the Sept. 9, 2025 City Council meeting, the Fire Chief described a plan to upgrade the city's weather-siren activation system from the older 154 MHz radios to equipment that uses the 800 MHz public-safety band. The chief said the upgrade would align siren activation with the frequencies used by police, fire and dispatch.

Why it matters: Moving siren activation to the 800 MHz public-safety band aims to standardize communications with dispatch and other emergency services; the work will touch multiple outdoor sirens and require custom circuit-board replacements.

The Fire Chief said the city is "looking to upgrade that to the 800 megahertz public safety band" used by police and fire and that doing so will require "changing out of circuit boards and custom equipment that's manufactured specifically from this vendor." He added, "There's 8 different sirens that would have to be touched." The chief also said the dispatch center is considering an automated system that would set all city sirens off on the same frequency.

Council members asked only clarifying questions and joked about timing during community events. The agenda item (listed as 2025-106 in the packet) was placed on the consent agenda for approval.

Ending: Staff will proceed with the procurement steps described and the item will be considered on the consent agenda at a future meeting unless removed for separate consideration.