The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Carthage, Jasper County

Discussion

June 5, 2008

Jasper County could add more than 40 storm sirens

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — More than 40 new storm-siren locations are being recommended for Jasper County as part of an effort to get a federal grant to help pay for the warning systems.

Members of the County Commission on Thursday received a report from a potential supplier who is advising the county on the upgrade.

Recommended for sirens are areas that do not have coverage currently, have a census population of 100 or more, or are a named community.

County officials also have met with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding grants for the sirens. John Bartosh, presiding commissioner, said local governments would have to apply individually for the grants, but county officials are hoping they will work together and with the county on a coordinated effort designed to get more warning coverage.

Locations of existing sirens were plotted for the study by Chris Chappell, the county’s geographic information system coordinator.

Bartosh said the vendor is recommending a first round of 28 sirens to go in the most heavily populated areas that do not have sirens. An additional 16 sirens are proposed during a second round of installations.

The county also is looking at using the dispatch center overseen by the Jasper County Emergency Services Board to notify residents.

Rich Nordell, executive director for the board, said the organization is looking at upgrading its Reverse 911 system, which has been in place for about 10 years.

“I hope you’ll coordinate with us, to make sure everything we do can fit together,” Bartosh said.

The commission has had one meeting with representatives of local communities to discuss the program, but it was sparsely attended. Jane Ballard, a member of the Duenweg City Council, was at the session and said she believes Duenweg would want to get involved.

“The siren we have now needs to be updated,” she said.

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