Image 1 / 2
"We were asked by the Wal-Mart people if we had a project they could contribute to as part of their re-Grand Opening celebration on May 16," related Scruggs. "We immediately thought of re-tooling the old noon siren that was already in place, but it needed setting up so it could be set off by our emergency paging system."
Wal-Mart generously donated $3,000 for set up and repair costs on the old storm warning siren, which has not been used for many years. For several decades, residents near the center of the city always knew when it was noon-time, because that was when the siren was tested.
With the technical assistance of Ivon Davis and Steve Cansler, the siren has been put into the E-911 radio system with a set of switches that allows the fire department's paging system to set the siren off in three minute blasts.
"The siren will only be used if Macon County and Lafayette are put under a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning," continued the fire chief.
"We are applying for additional grants through Homeland Security, and have sought the assistance of Rep. Bart Gordon and Sen. Bob Corker's offices in order to secure monies, hopefully with a 90/10 percent match."
With the aide of a federal grant, Chief Scruggs said three or four more storm warning sirens could be installed which would cover the entire city limits area of Lafayette.
"We're also applying for grants that would fund a large number of free or inexpensive weather radios, which are much better than sirens, because you can hear them go off inside your house, or anywhere you happen to be when threatening weather is about."
So, if you hear a loud, strange siren sounding at noon on Saturday, June 7th, it will be the one in central Lafayette being tested on the first Saturday of the month and on each first Saturday thereafter.
Post a Comment
