Jackson County approves cloud-based mass-notification system with sirens after budget amendment
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Summary
The Jackson County Commission approved replacing its Code Red emergency alert with a cloud-based mass-notification system that includes sirens and authorized a general-fund transfer to cover the first-year cost; EMA staff said the cloud system will reduce siren-activation delay.
Jackson County commissioners voted Feb. 9 to replace the county's existing Code Red emergency-alert platform with a cloud-based mass-notification system that includes the option to activate local sirens.
The commission approved a motion to purchase the system and to amend county budgets to fund the first-year cost. EMA Director Josh Whitcomb told commissioners the cloud-based system allows dispatch stations web access to activate sirens directly, which he said would "greatly reduce the delay" previously caused when the sheriff's office needed to respond physically to trigger sirens.
Why it matters: Commissioners framed the decision as a public-safety improvement designed to speed warning delivery during severe-weather and emergency events. The discussion weighed a lower-cost, no-siren contract against a higher-cost package that includes siren integration.
Costs and budget action: In the meeting packet the no-siren first-year cost was read aloud as $23,595.02; the siren-inclusive first-year cost was read aloud in the mid-$37,000 range. The commission moved to amend the general fund and transfer funds into the EMA budget to cover the chosen option; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
What officials said: "This is a web based, cloud based system, so they would be able to have access to their dispatch stations to down the siren to pull them up with these," EMA Director Josh Whitcomb said, explaining the expected reduction in activation delay. Commissioner (speaker 5) told the commission, "I think $14,000 is a small price to pay for our citizen's safety," referring to the first-year difference between the two contract options as read in the packet.
Next steps: The county will execute the selected contract and process the approved budget transfer. Commissioners indicated the funding will come from a general-fund margin and that staff will complete contract paperwork and implementation planning.
Vote: Motion approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.