Burleson to modernize outdoor warning sirens, narrow activation zones and expand coverage

Burleson’s emergency management staff told the council the city is replacing and expanding its outdoor warning siren network and moving to more targeted activations that align with regional best practices.

Emergency Operations Manager Joe Lassiter said the city’s outdoor warning system consists of 11 sirens placed to give outdoor warning coverage and that staff removed the voice component in 2023 because people went outside to listen and exposed themselves to hazards. ‘‘One tone just, to signal action, take shelter, and to seek information,’’ Lassiter said, describing the sirens as a supplemental, outdoor-only alert that prompts residents to seek up-to-date information via BTX alerts, NOAA weather radio and local media.

Lassiter said the city follows North Texas Council of Governments criteria adopted by the council in 2018 and that activations are triggered for National Weather Service tornado warnings, spotter-confirmed tornadoes, hail one-and-a-half inches in diameter or greater and winds of 70 miles per hour or higher. He said the system will sound for three minutes per activation, is tested monthly (plus daily silent tests), and that the replacement project will complete in summer 2025 with new software enabling polygon-specific activations rather than citywide activation in all circumstances.

Staff also described outreach plans — flyers, social media and signage in parks — and coordination with other departments (311, communications, parks and rec) to educate residents about when and how the sirens will be used.

Quote: "If our sirens stop, it does not mean that the threat is over. We always want to rely on official sources for an all clear such as the local news or our city social medias." — Joe Lassiter

Council members generally supported the updates and requested continued public outreach to explain the shift away from voice messages.