OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK)- Outagamie County officials are encouraging residents to rely on something other than a tornado siren, during an emergency.
It’s part of a new system, but the cost of maintaining those sirens would be left up to the cities, villages, and towns.
“When those sirens sound, that’s not the time to act, you waited too long,” said Outagamie Emergency Management director, Lisa Van Schyndel.
Van Schyndel tells Fox 11, the new message system will ensure residents are alerted, even when they don’t find themselves near a siren.
It’s called the AtHoc emergency notification system.
“So, the AtHoc notification system can notify you by cell, email, landline or text message,” explained Van Schyndel.
The system is free and residents can register online.
It’s a part of the county’s transition away from tornado siren maintenance.
Tom Nelson, Outagamie County executive says it has some benefits.
“Keep in mind that, about 70 percent of the county’s land mass doesn’t have a siren.”
County officials say cost is a big reason for the change.
“What Outagamie County is doing is looking at the cost,” said Van Schyndel. “What we spend on sirens, we’re transitioning that to new technology.”
Replacing a siren, Van Schyndel says can cost up to $25,000. That doesn’t include maintenance.
While she says the cost of the new message system will be roughly $27,000 a year.
Kaukauna Mayor Tony Penterman is one that is concerned about how the system will be paid for.
“Yes, that’s a major concern. Because with a tight budget already, where is that money going to come from?”
He says the measure might also under serve those who rely on the sirens.
“The elderly who don’t have phones, the kids that may be playing in the park,” Penterman explained.
County officials say the transition is meant to give residents additional resources during an emergency.
“Our pitch is to have redundancy. We are offering more tools for people to use,” Van Schyndel said.
Outagamie County owns and operates 43 tornado sirens.
