Published on May 20, 2025 3:29 pm
Last Updated on May 20, 2025 3:29 pm
Effingham County 911 board members learned of a RapidWarn Automated Tornado Siren Activation System at today’s meeting.
Effingham City EMA Director Larry Thies is a member of the 911 board and raised the issue. Montrose Fire Chief Chris Overbeck, who works for Global Technical Systems, also spoke to the issue.
Overbeck said the system would trigger the sirens as soon as the warning is issued. It was suggested that have the automated alert would allow telecommunicators more time to work on other issues and handle calls from citizens at the time of a weather emergency.
One question is whether the activation system is a legitimate 911 expense? 911 System Administrator Tina Daniels will research that question.
Daniels also reported that the new county 911 dispatching console has arrived and installation will begin in June. Daniels added that CAD and GIS servers have been installed.
911 board members also got information from County Treasurer Deb Ruholl about a $250,000 911 C-D. It’s expected that the C-D will not generate as much interest, so members are wanting to know whether a money market should be used instead. Ruholl said she would research the matter in time to reach a decision after the C-D expires in June, then the Board can decide at their June meeting how to proceed.
Effingham City Police Chief Jason McFarland, a 911 board member, said that the June meeting will be his last meeting as a member of the board as he will be retiring as chief.