Do We Need Sirens?
Long time readers here know my distaste for outdoor warning sirens. Some some reason, a large percentage of people in tornado prone areas have gotten the idea that the primary warning way of getting a tornado warning is a siren. After just about every Alabama tornado, you will hear many people complaining that they “never heard the siren” in their home and they did not get adequate warning.
The truth is that sirens are not good at reaching people inside a home or business; they are designed to be heard by people outdoors. It is my opinion that we should quit spending money on sirens, and do something to get a NOAA Weather Radio receiver in every home in tornado prone areas. This probably would have saved a number of lives in North Carolina last week. There was an excellent warning before the early morning tornado, but few people heard it. It all goes back to the “siren mentality”… seems like few people in the impacted area had a NOAA Weather Radio.
Outdoor sirens are a product of the 1950s; with today’s technology we can do much, much better.
I received this e-mail today from Mike Bryant, the Deputy Director of the Gadsden / Etowah County EMA, who has another view on this subject:
James:
During one of your weather segments following the Tornado outbreak in Alabama and North Carolina I overheard you discussing the lack of sirens in the North Carolina community that was hard hit. Your comment was that residents should “forget the sirens†and “get a weather radioâ€.
I agree that every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio, I use one myself. However, Outdoor Warning Sirens fill a definite function, not only in severe weather, but for all hazards, including the Chemical Stockpile Preparedness Program (CSEPP) chemical disposal process ongoing in the six county Anniston Army Depot Chemical demilitarization footprint; (Etowah; St. Clair; Talladega; Clay; Cleburne & Calhoun). To state that residents should “forget about the sirens†was irresponsible and certainly misinforming.
Sirens are intended to warn residents to “go inside†and tune to radio or TV Emergency Alert Stations for further instructions. Without sirens, residents who are outside would never know to go inside to obtain information vital to their safety.
I certainly hope that in the future ABC 33/40 does not downplay the importance of Outdoor Warning Sirens located throughout our communities. ABC 33/40 plays an important and influential weather role in central Alabama and I would sincerely ask you rethink your position in regard to Outdoor Warning Sirens.
Thanks, Mike, for taking the time to write… I appreciate your comments. Sirens do serve a purpose in alerting people who are outside to hazardous weather and other potential disasters… but we still have to get a NOAA Weather Radio receiver in all Alabama homes for the severe weather warning process to work properly!
Category: Pre-November 2010 Posts
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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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