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Fire chief urges aligning city siren policy with county; committee backs sending plan to council
Summary
Manitowoc's fire chief asked the Public Safety Committee to align city siren‑activation criteria and testing with county practice so a siren consistently signals a National Weather Service tornado warning; the committee accepted the presentation and will place the proposal on the non‑consent council agenda.
Fire Chief (Speaker 7) told the Public Safety Committee on July 13 that current city practice allows the fire department discretion to sound sirens for severe thunderstorm warnings whereas the county only activates sirens for National Weather Service tornado warnings. The chief recommended matching the county criteria, reducing test frequency to the county’s schedule and launching an education campaign, with an August 1 target to implement the change.
"I feel as a chief officer of the fire department... that we fall in line with this criteria," the chief said, arguing the change would make the siren signal less ambiguous for residents and reduce wear on an aging system. He said county testing occurs monthly whereas the city tests every Saturday at noon.
Committee members expressed support for the proposal, saying fewer, consistent activations would preserve credibility and reduce confusion. One member said aligning with county practice would make it clear to residents what the siren means; another noted reduced testing could be a cost and equipment‑life benefit.
The chair said he would place the item on the non‑consent agenda at the full city council and invited the chief to present the education plan there. The committee accepted the chief's presentation by voice vote; no formal ordinance was enacted at the meeting.
