Storm Siren Upgrade
By: Shayla Patrick
Updated: May 11, 2012
JOPLIN, MO - Joplin's storm sirens are receiving a major upgrade. Two way radios are being added to the existing 25 storm sirens. The city will also add 2 new sirens at Wildcat and McClelland Parks.
Emergency Managers say the radios will allow the sirens to be tested silently if necessary. For example, if a siren is struck by lightning, they can check it the following day without alarming residents.
"The storm sirens are being upgraded as a direct response to the national weather service assessment that happened last year," said Keith Stammer, Joplin-Jasper County Emergency Management Director. "One of the things that we learned is that people have become somewhat desensitized to sirens and say they hear them all of the time," he added.
The project could cost up to $200,000 which will come from the city fund. All sirens are expected to be
