R2024-08 Resolution Approving the Purchase and Installation of Two (2) Emergency Warning Sirens

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Cities across the country began installing outdoor warning sirens in the 1950s. It remains a 20th Century technology.The problem with outdoor warning sirens is: 1.People spend less time outdoors in the 21 st Century 2. Outdoor warning sirens do not provide any specific information about the nature of a local emergency or what citizens should do(take cover because of an incoming tornado,evacuate a certain neighborhood because of a chemical spill,get off certain roadways because of an armed pursuit situation,etc.). 3. Modern building materials and energy efficiency construction methods make it much harder to hear sirens from the inside of a building,or if residents are in the basement. 4.The proliferation of cell phones, automatic cell phone alert software,reverse 9-1-1,Amber Alert systems,weather apps and weather radios are often faster and more informative ways of communicating emergency information to citizens. Phasing out the use of outdoor warning sirens is not yet a widespread practice in Illinois. It has happened more frequently in southern states where adverse weather events have occurred with greater frequency in the last ten years.Mobile County,Alabama, several communities in the greater Birmingham,Alabama area,and other Alabama communities have discontinued the use of outdoor warning sirens. Baxter County,Arkansas has done the same. Other communities(e.g., Spartanburg County, South Carolina)are considering phasing out sirens more slowly by simply not replacing outdoor warning sirens one-at-a-time as they fail. I think local governments have been slow to let go of outdoor warning sirens because they provide citizens an additional and increased sense of assurance beyond newer and more informative methods of emergency public information,and because most outdoor warning sirens have battery or generator back-ups,meaning they can be expected to operate even if power and internet are disabled in an emergency situation(although CIRDC also has emergency power back-up,as do some cell towers). If Decatur decides to phase out outdoor warning siren systems,we would certainly be among the first to do so in Illinois. But the technology supporting alternative ways of providing immediate and targeted emergency notification to citizens in a community emergency is advancing rapidly. It is reasonable to assert that most outdoor warning siren systems will be phased out later in the 21 st Century. The current question for the City Council is whether the city of Decatur should begin this transition now,or wait until more cities are making the transition in Illinois. SCHEDULE: If the council wishes to continue with its current replacement program,then following City Council approval, the Outdoor Warning Sirens will be purchased,and the installation scheduled. The new Outdoor Warning Sirens should be installed and commissioned within 60 days of the receipt of the equipment,weather permitting. It is anticipated that the activation system can be installed prior to the upcoming tornado season beginning in April. If the council elects to table this item, staff will bring back to council a more detailed plan for phasing out the sirens over several years(keeping sirens in place that still work),and investing in lesser cost,and more modern and targeted technologies for providing emergency information. PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: Since 2015 the City has been installing new emergency warning sirens at a rate of 2 per year. The approved 2024 budget included funding for 2 new sirens and funding to replace the City's siren activation and monitoring system. POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: There are no known objections to this request. STAFF REFERENCE: Matt Newell,Public Works Director,Byron Bowman,Municipal Services Manager,Rick Baker, Municipal Services Operations Supervisor. Matt Newell will be present to answer any questions of the Council on this item. BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: Budget Impact: Funding for the expenditure is available in the 2024 General Fund. Staffing Impact: Staff time has been allocated for this work.