Thursday, January 18, 2007

Sounds like a good idea at first...




Chief Walker has suggested a in home "early warning" weather system that alert people in their homes whenever the city's storm warning system is activated.

The activation would be performed by the Quincy/Adams County 911 center, which also can activate the outdoor warning system whenever a tornado is reported.

Walker said the individual warning devices are viewed as a voluntary alternative to the existing storm warning system, which not only uses outdoor warning sirens, but also relies on local TV and radio stations to broadcast tornado warnings.

Cost to the city: Not stated, but did not see the word "FREE"
Cost to Homeowner: $200 - $400 each
Annual Fee: $50 - $75 a year

What a deal.

Here's a better one.

NWS Weather Radio provides dependable and timely weather information at your fingertips. From day-to-day weather forecasts to warnings of deadly storms, NWR is always available, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The broadcast schedule consists of messages which are repeated every three to five minutes and are routinely revised to provide up-to-date information.

weather radiosDuring severe weather or other potentially hazardous events, the regularly scheduled programming is interrupted to substitute severe weather (including warnings, watches, etc.) or other hazardous informational messages. Special NWR receivers can be activated, sounding an alarm indicating that important information soon follows. Tests of the warning alarm are normally conducted by NWS Norman every Wednesday around 12:00 pm local time.

NWR can also be used to alert you to non-weather related emergencies, such as earthquakes, toxic or chemical spills, national attacks, or nuclear blasts.

Many local retailers or electronics stores sell NWS Weather Radios.



Cost to the city: Free, provided by the NWS
Cost to Homeowner: 29.95 - up
Annual Fee: Free



Think I'll pass on this one.







6 comments:

Anonymous said...

How much is this going to cost the taxpayers of Quincy ???

Anonymous said...

It's gotta be cheaper than the keyless entry system at the courthouse...

Anonymous said...

Or the $24,000 the city has already spent trying to get a time and attendance system up that they are not going to use. Top notch boys.

Anonymous said...

It's gotta be cheaper than paying JJ for not working.

Anonymous said...

The way it was explained to me it will not cost the city anything. All the city is doing is offering a franchise allowing Illinois Signal the right to provide this service in the Quincy area and with a way to link the activation of it through the 911 center. Several manufacturers are wanting to improve their ability to protect their workers and this system is a lot cheaper than adding additional warning sirens at the cities expense. This is not a system that the general public near a warning siren will need but will fill the needs of certain areas and people.

Anonymous said...

As Fire said, such service is available with a NWS weather radio and a hell of a lot cheaper.

I know most of the local broadcasting outlets use such radios. They are inexpensive and dependable.

I'm with Fire on this one. Don't waste tax dollars on this when a decent solution is already in place.

Spend 30 bucks or spend 200+ AND an annual fee? No brainer.

 
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