Commissioners discuss pilot of remote‑unlock system for storm shelters after access problems

Chilton County commissioners discussed a proposed pilot installation of a remote‑unlock system for tornado shelters following multiple instances when doors were locked and not readily reopened.

Commissioner Perkins (reporting a request from Commissioner Billingsley) said the county has experienced situations in which a shelter was locked after it had been opened and personnel were unavailable to reopen it for incoming residents. The proposed device uses a magnetic lock, power supply and a "push to exit" that can bypass the electronic lock; it requires a Wi‑Fi signal to operate. "This would basically automatically unlock the storm shelter regardless if anybody was there," Perkins said.

The vendor quote included during discussion was approximately $1,800 per opening installed. Staff said the Enterprise shelter was being proposed as a test site because it has Wi‑Fi and power on site. Commissioners cautioned that any county action should be coordinated with the county's Emergency Management Agency (EMA); EMA staff are reportedly reviewing related options.

Commissioners did not vote on the pilot. Staff said they would forward the vendor quote and schematic to commissioners and gather additional information from EMA before returning with a recommendation for formal action.