The Duncan Banner

Local News

October 21, 2012

Velma storm sirens installed

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

VELMA —

Velma residents no longer have cause to wonder if they will be able to hear storm sirens should bad weather hit the area due to the installation of new sirens last Thursday.

The town received a REAP grant from ASCOG seven or eight months ago and began the lengthy process of opening for bids and listening to various companies about their products. Eventually, they chose American Signal Company for the job.

“They had to then build the sirens, which took a few weeks,” said Velma Mayor Shawn Enloe.

“It’s been a lengthy process and we’re glad to have it over.”

A total of three sirens were installed in different location to add to the older two already in place. After they were put up, a test was done to make sure they work and from comments the mayor heard at the football game that evening, they do.

“People were saying that they definitely heard them and that was just with the three new ones, imagine if they all were to all go off,” Enloe said. “One lady who had been worried she wouldn’t be able to hear them now has one in her backyard but she said she’s just fine with that.”

There are some older sirens that are outdated and the parts needed to fix them can’t be found, therefore, the need for these new ones was great as was the grant to pay for them. Enloe said he has much gratitude for the people at ASCOG who helped them attain the grant.

“We’re thankful for ASCOG because it would have been a strain to do it on our own,” he said. “Hats off to them because they helped us and told us what we needed in (the proposal).”

There is still some work to be done as far as getting the new and old sirens aligned. Storm spotters would like to be able to set them off with a radio and they are looking at what it would take to update the older sirens to be on the same frequency as the new ones. But for now, having the new ones is a reason for residents to feel safer, Enloe said.

“We’re excited and it’s a positive thing,” he said. “I think the people are glad to know we have an early warning system.”

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