City-wide emergency tornado siren

1. FIRE DEPARTMENT
Presented by:
Michael Gdovin
Fire Chief
OUTDOOR TORNADO WARNING
SYSTEMS
ITEM # 9
DECEMBER 14, 2020

2. SUMMARY
• Provide information regarding a potential siren
location
• Provide information regarding system features for
tornado warning/alert systems.

3. BACKGROUND

4. BACKGROUND

5. BACKGROUND
•Validated area is clear of underground infrastructure for
digging/setting poles
•Estimate for electrical services: $4,200
•200 amp service
•CPS to set meter
•Estimate for CPS services
•New service with meter: $316.00
•Monthly fee: $8.75

6. BACKGROUND
Video links of the Sentry Model 16V1T-B Stationary
Warning Siren activation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfUcic2VGFk
Link to the history of tornadoes in Bexar County:
http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/Texas/B
exar/map

7. BACKGROUND
•Outdoor Tornado Warning Siren Survey
•Contacted 89 surrounding residences via email/telephone
•Provided information regarding the outdoor tornado
warning siren (Attachment C)
•In favor: 11
•In opposition: 11
•26.9% responded as of 12-14-2020

8. SURVEY AREA ADJACENT TO CITY HALL

9. BACKGROUND
• There are various weather radios for severe weather
warning in residential home settings
• Refer to survey of best weather radios at
https://bestreviews.com/best-weather-radios
• Rated as Best of the best

10. BACKGROUND
•Tornado specific alert: Tornado Alert

11. BACKGROUND
•Does not rely internet, radio, etc.
•Technology allow the unit to recognize tornadic
conditions based on electromagnetic frequency
•Monitors the radio frequency transmissions from
the storm itself
•Can detect tornados within 30 mile range
•Can be set to only alert for “tornado only”

12. BACKGROUND
• Video links:
• https://vimeo.com/157751701
• https://vimeo.com/317568002
• Tornadoalert website
• http://tornadoalert.us/

13. BACKGROUND
Ordered from Amazon on 10-06-2020
FD set up & test the device and set it Dispatch Center on11-02-
2020

14. FISCAL IMPACT: $56,424.75
•Storm Siren 16V1T-B
•$26,950.00
•Automated alert activation system
•$24,950.00
•CPS service / meter loop
• $316.00
• $8.75 monthly
•Electrician to complete on-site electrical
•$4,200.00