Sparta To Pursue Storm Alert System To Send Warnings Individually

Sparta City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the city could pursue individual storm alerts for residents.

Hennessee said the 911 system has the capability to call individuals in the event of a hazardous weather. Hennessee said the city wants to consider the change along with a possible third weather siren coming next budget season.

“The question at this point is what’s really gained by the third siren as opposed to being able to reach everybody individually, so we’re doing that evaluation now to see what is the most practical way to go about it.”

Weather siren expansion was tabled this year after estimates came in over budget. Hennessee said right now, the most realistic option is some addition to the siren system while also implementing the alerts.

“Our utility office already has everybody’s phone number inside the city, and we’ve got if they would prefer to be contacted by cell phone or land line,” Hennessee said. “We’re hoping to be able to incorporate something like that.”

Hennessee said the individual alert system is an improvement the city feels it can make.

“This targets all the schools inside the city,” Hennessee said. “We call them. Let them know. We don’t have to rely on them hearing a siren. Other places that gather like churches may or may not be able to hear something inside, but people would start getting alerts individually.”