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Council approves $82,566 county contribution for automated, radio-activated sirens
Summary
An EMA official requested $82,566 in county funds toward a roughly $325,000 automated and radio-activated siren system to add remote activation and reduce delay; council approved the contribution by voice vote.
An agency official asked the council to approve a county contribution of $82,566 toward upgrading the county’s warning sirens to radio activation and automated triggering tied to National Weather Service shape files.
The official described two priority locations (Royal Center and the fairgrounds), explained that radio activation and automation would reduce delays and human error in activating sirens, and said the system would enable remote activation by EMA staff from the field. The presenter described the initial equipment estimate at about $325,000 and said other potential cost shares were being pursued; the official asked the council to authorize $82,566 from county funds and joked that they would contribute the missing 18 cents if needed.
A council member moved to approve the funding; the motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion carries. The official said the additional automation would permit sirens to respond automatically to tornado warnings using National Weather Service shape files and to be activated remotely by EMA staff when spotters see hazards before confirmations arrive.
