 |
|
|
|
| 7/26/2010 3:54:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Genoa City sounding the alarm
Village looking into warning siren, other options, to ensure resident safety
HEATHER RUENZ
Genoa City Report Editor
The Village of Genoa City is reviewing its current warning system - a siren that sounds when a tornado warning is issued - due to concerns for residents' safety.
Village Trustee Ken Parker, chair of the village's Public Safety and Licensing Committee, shared his concerns during the June 10 meeting.
"With so many new residents in the village, a lot of people don't understand the tornado siren and the village hall gets hundreds of calls questioning what's going on," Parker explained.
"We don't meet the requirements as far as the decibel level in reaching each residence in the village," Parker added.
Parker said that Trustee Phil Traskaski, who also serves on the committee, has a weather radio in his house and said one thing the village could do is contact a manufacturer of the radios to see what the price would be if purchased in bulk.
The cost of the radios was discussed and the consensus was that they were $20 to $30 each. If the village could get a large amount of the radios at a reduced price, they would be issued to the residents.
Trustee Judy Hunt asked Parker if the village would be liable if they did that to which Parker replied, "We're liable now because our siren sound doesn't reach everyone."
Todd Schiller, head of public works for the village, told the board there is some misconception about the purpose of the outdoor siren.
"When I worked in Burlington, I was involved in emergency management and helped with the testing of sirens and how far they reach," Schiller said.
"Unless a lot of things have changed, the purpose of the outdoor siren is to warn people that are outdoors - to let them know of impending severe weather. Those sirens are not designed to warn people who are indoors," Schiller added.
Trustee Ed Lilla said the village is trying to keep people safe. "Most people killed in tornadoes are in their beds sleeping. If they see there's bad weather coming and they're outside, then they're being foolish," Lilla said.
Schiller was going to get in touch with a siren company as well as the Walworth County Emergency Director, Kevin Williams, to request that they meet with the board to explain the laws and clarify what direction the village should go with its warning system.
In Genoa City, the siren currently goes off at noon and 5 p.m. as a test to assure that the siren is in good operating condition.
Walworth County sets off the siren in Genoa City, and other areas throughout the county, when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC, proud publisher of 21 area newspapers, including Delavan Enterprise, Elkhorn Independent, East Troy News, East Troy Times and Whitewater Register (262)763-3511
Software © 1998-2010 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
