CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — Clark County Emergency Management Agency (CCMEA) leaders are working to mend public safety gaps. CCMEA Director Gavin Hebner said the county is short about 25 tornado sirens and leaves gaps in coverage when severe weather hits.
Hebner organized a comprehensive review with his team once he took the position in 2019. Officials found that currently the county has 24 sirens throughout the county and are short about 15 to 25. The agency has been seeking funds to construct at least seven sirens by the end of the year.
"They're $40,000 roughly on site and that depends on if we need to run any infrastructure to those location," Hebner said.
CCEMA first reached out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding, but ultimately the project didn't meet FEMA's criteria and was denied.
"So currently we're working with all of our municipalities to join in on the cost sharing adventure," Hebner said. "And ultimately a proposal to the county commissioners for ARPA, the American Rescue Plan, proposal funds for the overall funding of the project."
CCEMA is already working with surrounding cities like Sellersburg and Jeffersonville to see if they will allot their agency some funding for the seven sirens.
"We just met last night with the Town of Sellersberg council and they've agreed to fund 50% of two sirens in their area," Hebner said. "Along with the City of Jeffersonville has agreed to fund two sirens at 50% or one siren, and then partnerships and talks with River Ridge are still continuing."
Until funding is fully secured, the agency wants to remind the public that sirens aren't the only methods of staying weather aware. They encourage residents to invest in weather radios or sign up for emergency alerts on your phone.
It's also important to remember that sirens are meant for those who are outdoors. When a person hears a siren, it is a signal to go inside as quick as possible and find out why the siren went off.
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