Faulty transmitter blamed for failure of Fairview tornado sirens

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- The city has installed a temporary transmitter for its tornado sirens until a complete system overhaul planned this year.

The city believes a faulty transmitter was the reason that nine out of 12 tornado sirens did not work in a routine monthly test Tuesday, said Fairview Heights Police Capt. Chris Locke, who serves as the city's Emergency Services and Disaster Agency coordinator.

Locke said the signal Tuesday only reached the sirens closest to the Municipal Complex, sounding the three located at Pleasant Ridge Park, Lincoln Trail at Pasadena Drive and Old Lincoln Trail at Bunkum Road.

Locke said the main problem was addressed Thursday after technicians installed a temporary transmitter at the Municipal Complex, but some repairs still need to be made.

Here is the status of the 12 sirens after the transmitter was installed:

* Eight worked.

* Two need to be repaired or replaced. One did not work because of a bad receiver and a second one did not work for unknown reasons.

* Two were not observed because the city did not have enough manpower after business hours Thursday to send workers to all the siren locations.

Locke said the city could have rented a repeater for $300 a month to strengthen signal transmissions, but getting a temporary transmitter was cheaper.

Locke said the city has planned to replace the siren system after the start of the next fiscal year in May because of signs the system has aged and to meet new Homeland Security standards. The city's proposed 2012-13 budget includes about $200,000 for a new system.

Locke said some of the sirens are probably 25 years old and it's time to get newer technology. Some new systems provide daily or immediate feedback to show that the sirens are functioning properly, Locke said. New systems might also have the ability to transmit to wider ranges, which means the city might need fewer sirens.

The city tests the sirens on the first Tuesday of each month, and the service companies inspect the sirens quarterly. In the past year, the sirens have needed regular maintenance, such as when an amp is out or an antenna has to be raised. In these instances, Locke said he notifies technicians the same day an error occurs and the sirens are then fixed within one or two days.

But Locke reminds residents that sirens are not meant to alert people who are indoors, and that's why sirens are usually found near playgrounds and parks, Locke said.

"The overwhelming perception is the sirens are for everything, but the original intent is for people away from other means of communication," Locke said.

Locke encourages residents to be prepared with an emergency kit that has a weather radio or have other means of notification -- especially while the sirens are being fixed and even after a new system is installed.

For example, residents could sign up for the city's free Code Red system, which -- based on their personal preference -- will send them a text, email or phone call about emergency or weather events such as tornado warnings, earthquakes or missing children.

Officials used Code Red to notify the public Thursday before testing the tornado sirens and when they were done.

To register for Code Red, visit www.fairviewheightscity.com and click on the "ESDA" link or call the city at 489-2000.

In Fairview Heights, the dispatch center sounds the sirens when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for the area.

The National Weather Service issues tornado warnings where there is indication of a tornado on the radar threatening that area, or when a law enforcement official or trained spotter in the area reports seeing a tornado, according to meteorologist Scott Truett.

The agency issues a tornado watch several hours in advance for an area when conditions are favorable for a tornado, Truett said.

Source: http://www.bnd.com/2012/03/09/2091832/fairview-sirens-get-quick-fix.html

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