Vendors to conduct siren testing in Kingsport on Monday, May 10th
KINGSPORT – Residents across the City may hear a number of warning sirens on Monday when vendors conduct siren testing as Kingsport considers ways to improve warning coverage in the event of a natural disaster.
"Depending on how the testing goes and, of course, the availability of funding, we do want to look at expanding our warning siren system," Kingsport Police Lt. Jerry Mowl said Friday. We have limited coverage with three sirens, two located at industries and one at Fire Station 3 on Memorial Blvd. We would like to expand that, and a siren system is the best way to provide the broadest possible alert in case of weather events or other potential natural disasters."
Both analog and digital systems will be tested, with the digital systems also having some capability to broadcast voice communications. Currently, nine potential sirens are being considered.
"There are different tones for different types of events that alert folks to get under cover and tune in to radio and television to get the latest forecast or whatever the situation might be," Mowl said. "By doing physical testing, it allows us to see how this equipment will react in the valleys and verify the coverage map modeling provided by the vendors."
Testing will be conducted at George Washington Elementary, Fire Station 3 on Memorial Boulevard, Fire Station 5 on Lynn Garden Drive, Fire Station 7 and John Adams Elementary in Rock Springs and possibly Bays Mountain near the radio towers throughout the day Monday.
"It’s important for folks on Monday to remember, this is only a test," Mowl said. "There’s no need for alarm, and certainly, please do not call 911 to report the sirens."
Once testing is complete, city public safety officials will then be able to sit down and develop the most efficient public warning system given limited funding for the project.
"This is certainly not something we want to skimp on, but we also recognize that funding is tight given the current economic climate," Mowl said. "This testing will allow us to put together the best possible plan that provides much better coverage than we currently have in the most efficient manner. But we’ll have to do the testing and then sit down and evaluate where we are with the project."
