County Considering “Code Red” Instead of Weather Sirens
January 15th, 2014 by
In the years that Drew County has been chasing the seemingly illusive vision of having countywide weather and tornado sirens, it seems technology has passed by that system of weather notifications.911 co-ordinator Michael Frisby has recently been in contact with Code Red Weather Notifications, and presented his findings to the Quorum Court, Monday night.
According to the presentation, different activation points can be set up, touches the 911 dispatcher, sheriffs department, and county OEM supervisor.
Notifications can be sent out countywide or communitywide, as determined by the specific situation.
Notifications can simultaneously be sent out to cell phones, landline phones, email addresses, and text messages.
Various messages could include weather information, Amber alerts, silver alerts, and announcements such as county road closings.
The approximate $450,000 expense of installing the weather siren system has always seem to be a stumbling block, even though around $300,000 would likely be covered by government grant.
Installing the Code Red system, is expected to cost $12,600 per year, with a 3 year contract, it is equivalent to 68 cents per person on the system.
Judge Robert Akin has spoken with other counties who use the Code Red system and his received excellent references about them, including that they were very important for communication during recent Faulkner County oil spill . He was also told that the weather siren towers are susceptible to lightning strikes, it’s tremendously increases maintenance expenses.
Since 1998, Code Red had a 99% renewal rate.
Although no vote was taken, quorum court was very interested, and requested a Code Red representative attend their next meeting
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