Published: December 20, 2008 11:27 am      

Tornado siren testing begins at Langley

Langley will begin testing new tornado sirens next week.

Residents of the town should expect to hear weekly siren testing beginning

Dec. 23.

Jeanie Norman, the town’s administrative consultant, said Langley acquired the two new sirens with a Rural Economic Action Plan grant through Grand Gateway.

“We’ve been working on this for a little over a year,” said Norman.

The REAP grant was $35,000. Storm Sirens, Inc. of Norman took the bid for the warning system.

Mayes County Emergency Management Director Johnny Janzen said the Langley sirens will be tested each Tuesday at noon. Janzen said the sirens will sound “for about 20 seconds.

“The new sirens are much louder and cover a much larger area,” said Janzen.

The old sirens date back to the 1950s and 60s. Janzen said the old sirens are still working and dependable.

The new warning system can be set off remotely. Janzen said MCEM will access and set off Langley’s sirens. The sirens can be set off from MCEM vehicles or the emergency operation

center.

Some of the new sirens have batteries in case of power outage.

Janzen said other Mayes County towns are in the process of getting new storm sirens. Adair has ordered their sirens, which should be set up the first part of January. MCEM will be controlling Adair’s sirens.

Janzen said MCEM applied for a grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency on behalf of the town of Chouteau. If MCEM gets the $40,000 grant, Chouteau will buy three new sirens.

Janzen said the towns can choose how often they want their sirens tested.

“Langley city officials would like theirs to be tested weekly,” said Janzen.

Norman recognized State Representative Dr. Doug Cox and Senator Mary Easley as strong proponents of the REAP program, through which Langley received the sirens.

“We’re just very grateful to have the new warning

system,” said Norman.