Post on 07-Feb-2023
Background • Originally utilized as Air
Raid Sirens under the Office of Civil Defense
• Contain two tones • Designed for Outdoor
Warning---Not Indoor Warning
• Originally supplemented with the “Bell and Light System” for building warnings
• Eventually utilized to provide for outdoor severe weather warnings
City of New Brighton Current Outdoor Warning System
County Siren Number Location Back-Up
Year Purchased Age
SIREN #23 400 Old Highway 8
SW Battery Back-
Up 1989 28
SIREN #24 622 Old Highway 8
NW Battery Back-
Up 1989 28
SIREN #25 2145 5th Street NW Battery Back-
Up 1989 28
SIREN #26 1400 14th Street NW Battery Back-
Up 1989 28
SIREN #27 2400 Mississippi
Street Battery Back-
Up 1989 28
SIREN #28 1951 Old Hwy 8 NW No Battery
Back-Up ~1962? ~55
SIREN #29 1st SE/2nd Ave SE No Battery
Back-Up ~1962? ~55
Required System Update Due April of 2018
Background • There is only one encoder left
in Minnesota and maybe the Country
• Ramsey County ECC is updating the encoder to current standards to allow for reliable warning and polygon warnings-Reduction In Over-Warning
Current Public Warning for Tornados
• Outdoor Warning Sirens (for outdoor warning)
• Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS)-all cell phones within the polygon receive alert to tornados and floods (21st Century Bell and Light System)
Option Anticipated Impact Estimated Cost
Take No Action Outdoor Warning Sirens Will No Longer Be Able to Be Activated by the RCECC would require manual activation of each siren for all warnings
$0
Replace All Existing Outdoor Warning Siren Control Boxes
RCECC will be able to activate all outdoor warning sirens-no change to current sirens
Short Term: ~$61,133
Long Term-2021 ~$59,427
Replace Five of Seven Control Boxes
RCECC will be able to activate five outdoor warning sirens-warning levels will remain within FEMA Guidelines
Short Term: ~$45,754
Long Term-2021 ~$42,448
Staff Recommendation Replace Sirens 23-27
Objective • Siren Acoustical Study conducted
by Ramsey County Emergency Management Indicated Warning Levels will remain within FEMA Guidelines
• Two sirens suggested to sunset provide warning for few people
• Estimated savings $32,358 through 2021
• Sirens continue to operate but were originally designed to warn of air raids and are approximately 55 years old with no battery back-up
• Warning Sirens are designed for Outdoor Warning Only. IPAWS Alerts***
Subjective • For some houses there will be
a reduction in audible volume • Concern about neighborhood
identity loss • Spoke with the resident who
had the siren in his yard, and no objection
• Staff “turned off” siren #29 and visited the area for the Wednesday Siren Test to confirm study and were able to distinctly hear the outdoor warning sirens
Siren #28
• Originally designed as Air Raid Siren
• Limited residential areas affected
• Siren #26 as well as siren in Arden Hills at Co Rd 10 and Hwy 96 provides recommended warning levels
Siren #29
• Originally designed as an air raid siren
• Warning area encompasses less than 1 block
• Siren #23 provides recommended warning levels