Friday, March 02, 2012

City of Joplin pursuing weather radios


The City of Joplin continues its pursuit to help prepare families for the storm season by distributing weather radios designed to keep citizens informed of approaching storms. During the first meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Tornado First Response Tornado Fund, members agreed to allocate funds for the purchase of 4,000 NOAA all-weather radios manufactured by Midland Radio Corporation. City Manager Mark Rohr stated that the order has been placed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the City should receive them in a matter of days.

Combined with warning sirens that are designed to alert residents outdoors of severe weather, these radios will help alert residents indoors to take shelter.

“We are very pleased with the decision made by the Board of Trustees to authorize this purchase,” said Rohr. “It’s equally important that we not only help our residents recover from last May’s tornado, but we need to provide them with the tools and information to prepare for future weather events should they occur.”

The radios are currently being programmed by the manufacturer to issue National Weather Service alerts for Jasper and Newton counties. Once programming is completed, they will be shipped to the City for distribution to residents through our fire stations. Details about how residents can receive a radio will be announced soon.

“We understand how important it is to get these radios to our city residents as soon as possible, and we’re excited about the program,” Rohr said.

Residents are also encouraged to visit www.ready.gov to learn other ways to be prepared for all types of severe weather.

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