Meridian City Council tables action on tornado sirens

Council memebers discuss communication tech options

At the Meridian City Council's regular meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024, discussions about the city's tornado sirens ended without a definitive course of action. Council members reviewed the status of the city's emergency alert system amid concerns of an unusually active tornado season in Texas.

Meridian currently has three tornado sirens installed around the city – one located by the baseball fields and another by Riverside Baptist Church on the hill. However, only one of these sirens is operational.

It was noted that four emergency sirens used to serve Meridian’s residents under City of Meridian and the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department.

The operational challenges extend beyond just the malfunctioning sirens. The council discussed the outdated activation process that involves manually flipping a switch in the back of Meridian City Hall. This method, described as cumbersome and outdated, raised concerns about its effectiveness during emergencies, especially if the power is out.

A member of the Meridian Volunteer Fire Department recalled that the switch was originally in the fire station, where it was more accessible during emergencies.

Several council members voiced differing opinions on the necessity of maintaining the sirens. One suggested that in today's world, where nearly everyone carries a cell phone, sirens might be less critical. However, others argued that the sirens still serve a vital role, particularly for older residents who might not be as connected to digital alert systems.

'Storms are a big thing for me, and it's really scary for elderly residents who rely on these sirens for warnings,' Meridian City Secretary Tiffany Gentry said.

The council also explored alternative alert systems, including mass texting and other electronic notifications. Mentioned were previous attempts to establish a free mass texting service, which was later discontinued. Council members suggested revisiting this idea or integrating the sirens with modern technology, like Bluetooth or remote activation, to improve reliability and ease of use.

As the discussion progressed, it became clear that more information and planning were needed before any decisions could be made.

The council members underscored the need to explore all options and costs, including potential liabilities associated with only one siren being functional.

In conclusion, the council decided to defer any immediate action on the tornado sirens. They plan to gather more data and consider costs and practical solutions, such as reactivating the mass texting service or modernizing the activation process for the sirens.

The issue is expected to be revisited in future meetings, with the council aiming to ensure a comprehensive and reliable alert system for Meridian's residents.