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Tiburon/Belvedere to deploy upgraded siren system; monthly automated tests planned
Summary
Council heard that Federal Signal will install upgraded siren system across peninsula sites, with web‑based activation, mobile capabilities and a planned monthly automated test; one site in Southern Marin will use an LRAD voice system.
Laurie reported that Tiburon and Belvedere expect to have upgraded community sirens installed and operating by the end of the month, with equipment supplied and installed by Federal Signal.
Laurie said the company “will provide us 4 hours of training on the system.” The system is web‑based and will allow on‑duty personnel an app to activate sirens; dispatchers also will be able to trigger the system if field staff are unavailable. The normal emergency alarm will sound for three minutes; monthly tests will sound for one minute. The council was told a regular test could be scheduled for the first Saturday of every month at noon.
The council was briefed on sites and capabilities. Laurie said Tiburon‑controlled sites number five, and a sixth site in Southern Marin Fire’s jurisdiction at Bel Air School will use an LRAD device that can broadcast voice messages. Laurie said the LRAD capability differs from the siren system: “It can actually do a voice message.”
A potential first test of the upgraded system was discussed for May 3, though Laurie said that date was optimistic and dependent on installation. Council members discussed augmenting coverage with mobile siren units mounted on vehicles and suggested Belvedere consider purchasing a mobile unit to cover areas with weak fixed-siren reception.
Nut graf: The upgrade replaces older electronics with a web‑based activation system, aims to standardize monthly testing, introduces an LRAD-capable site in Southern Marin and creates options (mobile sirens) to address line‑of‑sight coverage gaps on the peninsula.
Council members also asked about how residents will know what to do when they hear different siren tones; Laurie said that messaging will emphasize checking AlertMarin and the county emergency portal for details when a siren sounds.
Ending: The council agreed to publicize the new testing schedule through municipal newsletters and social channels once installation and test dates are confirmed.
