December 30, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Now hear this!
The City of Smithville now has sirens installed at three specific locations to alert the community in the event of a tornado threat and a test of those sirens was conducted today (Wednesday, December 30).
The video below shows the test of the siren on Miller Road.
A test of Smithville’s new tornado alert siren on Miller Road Wednesday from dwayne page on Vimeo.
In June Smithville Aldermen awarded a bid to Capitol Electronics for a Federal Signal alert system. The cost was $71,497. One time state grant funds to the city covered the purchase.
Smithville Fire Chief and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker said installers for the company have been in town this week placing sirens on poles at the city’s water tank near the high school on Highway 70 and near the city’s water tank on Miller Road. The existing siren on top of city hall has also been wired into the alert system. More sirens could be added later if needed.
“We probably need to clarify that DeKalb 911 will not be activating the tornado sirens. The equipment is residing at DeKalb 911 but we have nothing to do with its activation. The system is supposed to activate when a warning is issued by the national weather service. Our only obligation is to provide space and a means of accessing our radio network. The system is self sufficient and requires no intervention by DeKalb 911 staff. I think it is important for the general public to know that we are not responsible for the tornado sirens bought and purchased by the City of Smithville,” said Brad Mullinax, DeKalb E911 Director