Macon-Bibb County is moving forward with a major upgrade to its tornado and severe weather siren system. On Tuesday, December 2, the Commission approved the use of $2,782,934 in SPLOST funds for replacement and long-term maintenance.

The project will update sirens at 56 existing locations across the county. In addition to installing the new equipment, the agreement also covers five years of ongoing maintenance to keep the system working properly. This will include replacing the existing wooden poles with concrete poles, and new equipment. In addition to updating the 56, there will be 27 new siren locations added.

The current siren system is outdated and predates the consolidation of local government. The Macon-Bibb Emergency Management Agency (EMA) identified the updates as a public safety priority.

‘Staying aware before, during, and after potential disasters is important part of an emergency plan,” said EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “By upgrading and enhancing our outdoor warning system, this will sustain another layer of notification, along with our MBCAlert system and weather radios, for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Macon Bibb County.”

Three companies submitted proposals for the project, but Federal Signal Corporation was the only vendor approved to complete the work.

The upgrades are aimed at strengthening the county’s emergency alert capabilities and improving response during dangerous weather conditions.

In the meantime, EMA encourages our community to sign up for weather alerts that are sent straight to your phone. People can sign up for MBCAlert by going to www.maconbibb.us/mbcalert or getting the free mobile app, and people are encouraged to follow the Agency on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Hawkins also wants to stress to people that follow local media and weather forecasters on their social media channels to make sure they get as much information as possible about emergencies and severe weather.