The White County Board of Commissioners voted to accept Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds at their regular meeting on Monday. The grant, totaling 90 percent of the project cost, will be used to purchase emergency notification equipment, including electronic traffic alert signs and outdoor warning sirens.
According to Public Safety Director David Murphy, the funding is part of FEMA’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The county will use the funds to purchase two LED traffic alert control signs to display messages to drivers about potential dangers, detours, evacuation areas, and other important information. Local law enforcement, fire, and other public safety agencies can also use these signs for daily safety messaging.
Three new outdoor warning sirens will be installed at strategic locations across the county: Skylake Community, Yonah Preserve near the biking trails, and White County High School. These additions will expand the county’s current network of 18 alert sirens, enhancing the countywide warning plan.
Furthermore, the grant will fund the purchase of 1,000 NOAA Weather Radios. As part of the county’s mass notification plan, these radios will be distributed to low-income families, elderly populations, critical facilities, schools, and senior services.
The project will also receive four percent state funding, with the remaining six percent funded by the county.
