The latest discussions aimed at implementing an emergency response system for Tyrone were held earlier this week thanks to a meeting of government and community leaders.
The Albemarle Citizens Advisory Council has been working on efforts to establish a community-wide warning and response system for quite awhile and the meeting held at the Tyrone Elementary School LGI room on Wednesday allowed Tyrone borough officials and the advisory council to receive input from Rod Bohner, the county’s emergency manager.
Bohner chaired the meeting, according to Tyrone council person Virgie Werner. She has played an active role in attempts to bring a siren-based warning system to the area. The system would not be used for traditional emergencies such as a fire. Instead, such as system would be used in case of chemical or transportation emergencies or during a natural disaster.
Bohner said he thought the meeting went well and said his role was to offer advice.
Randy Andrews, the Albemarle plant manager has explained some of the history of the effort in previous Daily Herald articles.
“Several years ago, our community advisory council became interested in implementing an emergency warning system,” said Andrews.
“The late ‘Barney’ Mogle formed a group outside of our advisory council,” said Andrews. “They spearheaded an effort to get an emergency notification system in place. They raised funds; brochures were printed up (to explain how it worked).
“The system relied entirely on Westvaco’s whistle,” said Andrews. “The brochures were printed in a Saturday edition of the Herald so every household would get one.
“They did a test. The outcome of the test was everyone couldn’t hear it,” said Andrews “We were left with about $400 to $500 and it was turned over to the borough.”
Over the years, a siren from Altoona was obtained by the borough. That siren was kept at the water plant and recently the American Eagle Paper Mill agreed to refurbish it.
In a telephone interview earlier this week, Werner said American Eagle has been working on the electrical part of the siren and she had been in contact with John Ferner of the mill to see how things have progressed. She said she was hoping to hear from him shortly for an update. She also said that once the repairs on the siren are completed it would have to be tested.
Last month, Andrews explained a community-wide emergency response system wouldn’t be limited to the use of sirens, but should include coordinating the emergency response efforts of the school district, the hospital, the borough, major businesses and surrounding communities such as Snyder Township.
The meeting with Bohner was set up after Tyrone resident Bill Fink contacted State Representative Jerry Stern. The legislator’s office contacted Bohner and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency about the response system initiative and the meeting was scheduled.
In a Daily Herald article last month, Bohner said three additional sirens had been located in Altoona. He said he and Altoona fire chief Renny Santone worked to locate the sirens.
Yesterday Andrews said Albemarle is working with owners of the buildings of the sirens to prepare for removal. Albemarle plans to use Bryce Saylor & Sons, Inc. for that part of the effort.
The sirens typically are in need of repair and refurbishing. Andrews said it would be up to Tyrone Borough to work out who would take care of getting the sirens in working condition.
“(Although), some cities have gotten away from the use of sirens (in an emergency), they are using television and radio to get the word out, we thought maybe we could still be unique and something good could come of it,” said Werner.
“Some people ask do we need a siren, we don’t want to hear a siren blow,” said Werner. “(They say) it wakes them up. If I hear a siren, I’m glad we would have something to notify people that something had happened.”
Werner said she thought it was a good meeting overall and allowed for discussion on how the various parties can develop emergency procedures. She indicated it would be important to take a look at what Albemarle does in other communities and what other communities and companies do to respond in times or chemical, transportation or natural disasters.
In addition to Bohner and Werner, the meeting was also attended by members of the Albemarle Citizens Advisory Council, Tyrone’s mayor Patricia Stoner, the borough’s interim manager, Sharon Dannaway and borough emergency manager Jim Beckwith.
