5/2/14 - Severe weather can strike at any time and updates to the weather warning system across Livingston County are designed to help community members better prepare. In the past local departments and agencies relied on a multi-step process, meaning there could be a delay in critical activation of the sirens. Thereâs since been a collaborative effort between Livingston County Emergency Management, Central Dispatch and local fire departments to tie the systems together, which will result in changes the public will notice. One of the biggest is when the sirens will sound â on the first Saturday of every month at noon. Brighton Fire Authority Chief Mike OâBrian reminds the public that outdoor warning sirens wonât always be the best way to alert someone of severe weather and are meant to serve as a another tool to help get the word out of any pending danger as fast as possible. OâBrian says whatever the alert, specifically those doing outdoor activities to be aware of them and hopefully build in precautions to stay safe. The public should also take note that if any portion of the county gets a tornado warning, or the other parameters are met for when the weather sirens should be activated, every siren will go off across the county. Livingston County Emergency Management Program Manager Mike Kinaschuk says severe weather is unpredictable and can change quickly so they want to give as much advanced warning as possible and allow the public to take precautions. The updates to the local weather warning system were made possible through a federal grant, which gives the ability to activate sirens from a central location with trained professional central dispatchers on duty. While the sirens used to sound for only tornado warnings, they will now also sound for severe thunderstorm warnings with sustained winds over 70mph. Severe weather season is upon us again and Livingston County Emergency Management, 911 Central Dispatch and local fire departments are helping the public be better prepared. (JM)
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