Emergency Warning System |
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New Storm / Emergency Siren System
As a result of the cooperative efforts of three local entities, the Kankakee area's warning system for severe weather / emergency situations has been dramatically improved by the installation new, "state of the art" radio frequency activated sirens at several locations in the City. The new equipment installation was completed on January 27, 2003. The project was developed by Kankakee Municipal utility personnel with significant input and cooperation from the County ESDA office, the Kankakee Valley Park District, and Commonwealth Edison. The new equipment replaces the 40 plus year old, unreliable sirens in use previously. The new units incorporate battery back-up and are activated by radio signal instead of relying on phone line connections as they were before. Each siren is capable of a increased range and their placement extends coverage to areas of the City which had limited if any coverage before. Kankakee County ESDA controls activation of the new system from its dispatch center on West Court Street. The locations for the six sirens are as follows: Riverside Community Sports Park - Butterfield Rd. The new system allows each siren to be activated independently when appropriate to provide warnings to residents in their coverage area in cases of area specific threats such as chemical spills, etc. The old system did not have this capability. This project significantly improves the area's severe weather warning capability as well as aids in addressing "homeland security" issues if necessary. Click here to view the: Click here to hear the:
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