Norman Briefs

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Published: October 29, 2009

Norman council discusses sirens

NORMAN — City council members say they are eager to add outdoor warning sirens to cover all of Norman’s 190 square miles and to implement a reverse 911 system to warn people. It would cost more than $2.4 million over five years to make it happen. Norman Fire Chief James Fullingim said if Norman voters pass a bond issue in March, the outdoor system would be upgraded and running by spring 2011. During a city council study session Tuesday, Fullingim said the city currently has 38 sirens and many of them are old and don’t function properly. He said a system of 75 sirens could be heard in all parts of Norman at 70 decibels or more. It would cost about $2.1 million to buy additional sirens and to pay for battery replacements, maintenance and control station expenses. Fullingim said a new siren at Reaves Park will have voice capability, meaning an official can go to the site and announce information in addition to the siren sounding.

Telephone weather warnings

City officials also are considering a reverse 911 system, in which weather warnings and other important notices are sent out to people’s telephones. Norman Finance Director Anthony Francisco said the most feasible way would be contracting with a company to operate the service rather than have the city maintain its own limited number of telephone lines. The service would cost $46,875 per year. Land lines would automatically be contacted by reverse 911. People with mobile phones would have to input their contact information on the city’s Web site.

JAMES S. TYREE, Staff Writer