Cellphone alerts have proven unreliable during emergencies, as seen in the January fires in west Altadena. Many residents received warnings too late or not at all, and some lost cell service entirely. This has sparked a debate on whether traditional sirens could be a more effective solution.
Sirens, once used widely for wartime alerts, are being reconsidered for emergencies like fires. In areas like Paradise, California, which was devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire, sirens have been installed to fill gaps left by digital alerts. These sirens can reach up to 90 decibels and operate with backup power sources, but they are primarily audible outdoors. Mayor Steve Crowder of Paradise noted that the ability to hear them from inside homes is limited.
Despite their potential benefits, sirens have limitations. They require significant funding for installation and maintenance, and their effectiveness can be reduced by modern building standards, such as double-pane windows. David Acuña from Cal Fire pointed out that sirens were a technological advancement of the past, now largely replaced by more targeted digital alerts.
The recent fires in Los Angeles County highlighted the shortcomings of the current alert system. According to a report by U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, technical errors led to widespread panic due to faulty alerts. The report calls for federal oversight and improvements to the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), emphasizing the need for reliable and accurate emergency notifications.
As communities like Beverly Hills and Paradise invest in sirens, the debate continues on how best to alert residents during disasters. The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management is reviewing its alert systems and may consider sirens after completing an after-action report on the January fires.
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