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County begins inventory of outdoor warning system as radios age; interns to assist
Summary
Peoria County emergency management staff reported that components of the outdoor warning (siren) system and radios are aging and that a multiyear replacement plan is starting, including use of four county interns to map communications infrastructure.
County emergency management staff told the Peoria County Board that the county has begun data collection on its outdoor warning system and emergency communications network to assess aging components and plan replacements.
The staff described the outdoor warning system as composed of three primary elements: a radio, a siren and amplification. The county’s radios—used to relay messaging to issue sirens—are beginning to reach the end of their useful life, and staff are evaluating whether to replace components on a one-to-one basis or to change siren placement and amplification to expand coverage and reduce overlap. The update noted the project is long-term and that officials are considering whether siren locations reflect past rural patterns that may now be in urbanized areas.
As part of the initial work, four interns provided through a county internship program will assist with mapping and data collection on the siren system and wider emergency communications. The staff member requested that board members send any follow-up questions to Jason, who prepared the monthly report in the board packet.
No formal action or budget request was made during the report.
