🚀 go-pugleaf

Good day all, 
	I have had a quiet week and thought perhaps it was time to stir 
the pot a bit... :-) :-)
	Ron Clark of Bellvue NE (forgive me if I got the town wrong Ron, 
short term memory loss...:-) mentioned a town of 90,000 in Iowa 
disconnecting their outdoor sirens, rather than repair/repace them. I 
have had this discussion with the Emergency Manager here in KC KS and we 
have both argued either side at one time or another. 
	My question is simply this: Have the outdoor warning sirens out 
lived their usefullness? I have been at the EOC when the sirens have been 
blown, and the first thing that takes place is EVERY phone line lights 
up, and the question asked over and over is "How come the sirens are 
blowing?". So, It would seem people are not yet utilizing the many other 
methods of receiving weather warnings. Thus, it would seem to me there is 
still a need of some type of outdoor warning. The flip side of this 
argument is, will people *ever* avail themselves of the new technology if 
the old remains in place? Should we just move the responsiblities of 
warning the public away from the local EM office and shift it to the 
media and other sources? I have mixed feelings about this. I do see a 
place for warning sirens in and around large public areas (large parks, 
shopping districts, schools, etc) however, I think it is time to reduce 
the numbers in the residential areas. The time when local municipalities 
can afford to maintain a fleet of warning sirens is rapidly fading. Tax 
payers simply don't see the need to spend money on this type of expense 
(untill the tornado comes down *THEIR* street!). 
	Well, enough from me. What are your thoughts on this matter???
BCNU Lef (Bill Lefler/WO0E Kansas City KS)