Installation of Macon-Bibb County’s new and upgraded outdoor emergency sirens has officially begun, marking a major step toward strengthening emergency warning coverage across the county.

Crews began installing the new system as part of a nearly $3 million project to upgrade and expand Macon-Bibb County’s tornado and severe weather siren system. In December, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds for Federal Signal Corporation to complete the upgrades based on a recommendation from the Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

“This is a significant investment in the safety of our entire community,” said EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “These upgrades will give us a newer, more reliable system while expanding outdoor warning coverage into additional areas of Macon-Bibb County.”

The project includes replacing wooden poles and equipment at the county’s existing 56 siren locations with new 50-foot concrete poles and updated equipment. An additional 27 sirens will be installed in new locations, bringing the countywide system to 83 sirens and expanding outdoor warning coverage.

The project also includes five years of ongoing maintenance to help ensure the system remains operational and reliable.

“Public safety is one of our community’s top priorities, and this project will help make sure the sirens work when needed and expand the areas where they can be heard,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “While we make sure we have the newest equipment to help protect people, we want to encourage people to get their own weather radio and download emergency notification apps on their phone.”

Outdoor warning sirens are only one of the ways EMA works to keep people informed before and during severe weather and other emergencies. Residents are encouraged to have multiple ways to receive alerts, including a weather radio, MBCAlert phone, text, and email notifications, mobile alerts, social media, and local media.