Seward gets new noon whistle
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By way of Kenai Peninsula Borough resolution and funding, Chicago-based Federal Signal has installed six new disaster-warning signals within the municipal boundaries of Seward. Homer and Seldovia also received Federal Signal warning systems.
To see the system around town, look for a a stack of plastic doughnuts on a telephone pole. The unique shape allows for an efficient 360-degree sound cone that is audible at least 5 miles away.
Signals are located in the areas of
They system has a battery backup kept charged by a small wind turbine.
Over the upcoming years, during weekly tests and natural disasters, Sewardites may hear up to seven different warning or test messages. Tsunami, Amber Alert, high winds, volcano, test and others. And a new feature, chimes, like those that precede cruise ship announcement.
Seward Fire Chief David Squires said the sound is reminiscent of the tones in “Close Encounters” used to contact aliens.
In case of a real emergency a long steady 30-second tone will announce each message. This process will repeat three times.
With its wind turbine and battery backup, the system’s internet-based communications is its main weakness.
However, Federal Signal added a NOAA radio receiver antenna. This offers an alternate way to activate the system’s warning signals.
Also, warning signals can be activated by Seward Police Dispatch, city of Seward, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Homer.
The web-based system has advantages to the 1990’s-era radio-activated warning system it replaced, said Philip Oates, Seward city Manager.
“[The system] allows us to be more selective with out warning for specific regions of the city,” Oates said.
Oates said the system has a few kinks to work out. The seven-message signal from Wednesday, Dec. 12 was a protracted example.
“I think it is a significant advance, but it is new and we are still working to make it effective, Oates said.
The system is designed to do weekly, audible tests. Possibly in a pleasing chime, like those that precede cruise ship announcements.
Federal Signal manufactures and installs a turn-key system. The company employed local contractors to assist with the install.
The system will not be set off for just any temblor or pyroclastic flow, Oates said.
If NOAA or the city get a message that, say, within the next 90 minutes Seward might get a tsunami.
“Then we will act,” the city Manager said. “That’s when we want people to move, to start thinking that something is wrong.”
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