Columbus is taking the chance of human error out of the equation when it comes to sounding its tornado sirens.
The city is investing $25,345 in new technology that will automatically set off local tornado sirens when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Bartholomew County, without the need for a human to activate them.
Columbus Board of Works members on Tuesday approved a new Central Alert Siren Activation System, to be provided through Kenwood Communications and Electronic Communication Systems Inc., Bloomington.
The automated system, working with the National Weather System and the Everbridge community warning system, will activate the sirens without any need for 911 dispatchers to assist, said Bryan Burton, director of Columbus’ Public Works department.
If for some reason the automated system malfunctions, the dispatchers will still have the ability to set off the sirens as needed, he said.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
