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EMA warns county warning sirens are obsolete; replacement could cost about $2 million
Summary
Emergency Management reported that many county outdoor warning sirens are 50–60 years old, parts are scarce, and full replacement could cost about $2 million or more; staff requested a joint workshop with the County Council to plan funding and phase‑out options and urged residents to sign up for RAVE alerts.
EMA official Rob Sabie told the commissioners a prior inventory identified multiple sirens needing replacement and that many are obsolete or lack replacement parts. He said some sirens are 50–60 years old and that batteries cost about $600–$700 each. "Cost may be around $2,000,000.00 or more to replace what we have," Sabie said, adding that some counties have entirely eliminated sirens in favor of other alerting methods.
Sabie said the Council previously allocated $50,000 for repairs; the county also used $2,000 to buy weather radios and $2,000 for outreach. He requested a joint workshop between the Commissioners and the Council to develop a plan; President Holifield said he would work to coordinate the meeting. Sabie encouraged residents to sign up for RAVE alerts and noted parts and cell‑service gaps limit alternatives in some rural areas.
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