by jerry hart critical emergency alert systems, llc
TRANSCRIPT
By Jerry Hart
Critical Emergency Alert Systems, LLC
Origin of Tornado Sirens
Result of air raid siren (WWII)
Chrysler Air Raid Siren
World’s largest sound signaling device
Very common in most US metro areas in the 1950s and 1960s
Uses a 331ci Hemi V8 pushing 180hp
Cranks out 138 dB of sound
Tone was audible up to 30 miles away
Early History
First official tornado forecast (and warning) made by USAF Capt. Robert C. Miller and Major Ernest Fawbush on March 25, 1948.
1950 the Weather Bureau revokes their ban on the word “tornado” and allows public warnings to be issued
Early History
FCC banned television and radio from broadcasting tornado warnings on-air
1954 meteorologist Harry Volkman broadcast first televised tornado warning on WKY-TV in Oklahoma City
The FCC eventually lifted the ban on broadcasting warnings
What is a Tornado Warning?
Tornado has been spotted
Doppler indicates storm circulation which can produce tornado
Safety precautions must be taken immediately
Who Issues a Tornado Warning?
The National Weather Service is the primary agency to issue a tornado warning
Purpose / Design of Tornado Sirens
Tornado warning sirens were never designed to be heard inside of a house or building…
Myth or Fact???
How Much Warning Time Did Sirens Offer to the Public?
Must be absolutely sure tornado was eminent
Warning then issued by the National Weather Service
Individual communities use their criteria for sounding the alarm
Edmond Fire Department
Technology Updates: TV and Radio Weather Announcements
Stations received weather data via wire service, including watches and warnings
Wire data had to be “weeded out” for the pertinent impending weather
Meteorologist had to physically plot warning area
TV crew would then put meteorologist on camera, issue tone warning and cut away from current programming
At the ready, this process took approximately 10 minutes after the NWS issued the warning
Wakeup Call to Broadcasters
1991 the NWS monitored all major TV stations in Oklahoma City and calculated the “average” warning time close to 20 minutes instead of the 5-10 the stations thought!
Things had to change!
Challenge Was Given
General Manager of KOCO-TV 5 challenged me to find a way to significantly improve this time.
Twenty minutes was totally unacceptable!
The Solution
The approach had to be completely different from the past
1992 and personal computers were beginning to be commonplace
If data is coming to wire service then it should be able to go directly to our PC
Birth of First Alert
In 1992 – 1993, I developed the first computerized weather warning system for television, First Alert.
Birth of First Alert
First Alert: The development and creation process
How it works – “the logistics”
First Alert forever changed the way severe weather warnings were delivered to a TV audience
The Ultimate Recognition
Story of a farmer from Mooreland, OK
Birth of Digital Signage and CEA
Combining our marketing and advertising expertise with emergency weather alerts
Birth of Digital Signage and CEA
Critical Emergency Alerts (CEA)
How it works
How unique is what we are doing?
The FAA said it all…
Critical Emergency Alert Systems, LLC
Bringing the most advanced tornado warnings to the public
Why “Area of Immediate Concern”?
Your location is notified in a matter of SECONDS
Sirens
Strobe Lights
Desktop warning systems
Normal County-Based Warning
An Area of Immediate Concern
What Went Wrong in Joplin?
“A majority of Joplin, MO residents either ignored or were slow to react to the first warning sirens about a massive and deadly tornado in May, partially because of decades of false alarms, the government said.” -- Associated Press, 9/20/2011
What Went Wrong in Joplin?
Majority of residents did not immediately seek shelter upon hearing the initial warning “All sirens mean is there is a little more water in the gutter…” Joplin
resident
Warnings lacked a way to accurately portray that immediate action was necessary “The sirens are sounded in one, 3-minute burst and then shut off. There
was not a way to immediately discern the magnitude of the threat. Several interviewed expressed confusion with the single siren thinking the threat was over once the sirens had ceased.”
Vast majority of residents have widespread disregard for tornado sirens “We are bombarded with the sirens so often that we don’t pay attention.
They even go off for just dark clouds…” Joplin resident
No False Warnings
Normal warnings are by county
CEA’s are defined by a polygon by the NWS
Those in the polygon are in the “Area of Immediate Concern”.
TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!!!
Red Dog Shelters & Critical Emergency Alert Systems, LLC
What happens if your facility is issued a CEA?
A warning is useless unless you can get to a shelter immediately!
By Jerry Hart, Owner
Critical Emergency Alert Systems, LLC