ASC T-128 - Alert - Richburg, SC

Alert: 0:09 Growl: 3:55 Alert: 4:45 Siren: American Signal Corporation Tempest 128 AC/DC Distance: 150 feet Signal: Alert; Growl; Alert System: Chester County Warning Siren System Testing: (This Siren Only) 1st Wednesday of Every Month at 7 PM (Usually a growl) Activation Policy: Alert for Tornado Warnings Location: Richburg Fire Department, Richburg, South Carolina Map (Siren): http://goo.gl/maps/HxqUE Map (Chester County): -- In Production Map (State of South Carolina): -- In Production Description: At first, the siren had a radio problem, which was fixed, hence the extra growl and alert signal, to make sure it was working. This was the first test of this siren. The Town of Richburg donated $25,000 to the fire station for an emergency warning siren, to be used for tornadoes. It was reported that this siren could be heard as far away as 5 miles. -Statement from the Town of Richburg- "The three-minute full test of this siren will be just as it would if there was a real tornado," he said. "We're going to have people out in different areas to hear the volume of the siren." In April, the Richburg Town Council presented a $25,000 donation to the fire department for the purchase of the tornado warning system. The system consists of a siren attached to a 45-feet high pole that sounds an alert throughout a three-mile radius. During an actual emergency, the warning system is activated by 911 as the National Weather Service provides notification of threatening weather, the chief said. The Chester County Emergency Management Office "tones out" an alert as an emergency situation is presented. Chester County Emergency Management Director Eddie Murphy has said the county has discussed having a county-wide warning system but the current budget won't allow for such. Each warning system would cost the county about $22,000 to $25,000, he said. A refurbished system would cost about half that amount. For the warning tests that will be held this evening for the Richburg area, Agee said he purposely announced the system testing in advance so as to not alarm local residents.