Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Garland has begun installation of the new outdoor warning sirens approved by the Garland City Council in the 2012 Capital Improvement Program.  The existing siren system was taken offline in 2011 due to lack of reliability with the aged equipment and is being replaced with a new system that will consist of 15 sirens strategically located to warn those in public outdoor gathering spots throughout the city. The new sirens will feature the latest technology including flashing LED lights that will alert persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing that they need to seek shelter and additional information.

In December, the Siren Site Selection Team worked with City departments and GIS to determine the exact placement of the sirens.  The team then staked out each site with signage informing citizens of the impending siren and providing them with contact information for  additional questions or concerns.  The final site map was taken to the Park Board for approval in January prior to installation.

Construction is set to begin in late April and will take several weeks. To reduce costs and traffic disruptions to citizens, city officials have arranged for the old sirens to be removed at the same time that the new sirens are being installed. It is expected the system will be fully functioning by late June 2013.

During this system upgrade, the Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor severe weather conditions and provide warnings via CodeRED, Weather Warn and Twitter.  Remember that the outdoor warning sirens are not intended to be heard indoors and emergency officials urge all citizens to remain alert to changing weather conditions and to have multiple means of receiving emergency warnings.

Siren Activation Details

Sirens are designed to serve as a warning for people outside of their business or residence.  The City of Garland uses outdoor warning sirens as an all-hazards warning method.  This means that they are not "tornado sirens".  They can be activated to warn citizens about any possible danger outdoors that they should seek shelter from. 

If you hear the sirens, seek sturdy shelter immediately. Make your way to an interior room, away from windows and exterior walls, and turn on a radio or television to a local station for more information about what the specific hazard is.

Sirens will be activated for:
    • A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service
    • Tornado or funnel cloud reported by a reliable source
    • Sustained winds in excess of 60 mph
    • Reports of hail larger than one inch
    • Chemical spill emergency
    • State or national emergency declared by the governor or president
    • Other emergencies as appropriate

Proposed Outdoor Warning Siren Locations
Siren Location Details

Please note that this is a preliminary list of the outdoor warning siren locations and changes can and will occur during the installation process. As we move forward with installation, we will continue to provide updates to this information and confirm any changes.

Siren #1: Firewheel Golf area
Siren #2: Winter Park
Siren #3: Holford Park
Siren #4: Beaver Elementary
Siren #5: Central Park
Siren #6: Cullum Park
Siren #7: Castle Substation
Siren #8: Firewheel Town Center
Siren #9: H.B. Johnson Stadium
Siren #10: Kingsley Park
Siren #11: Centerville and Meadowbrook
Siren #12: Audubon Park
Siren #13: Toler Elementary
Siren #14: Waterhouse and Roan
Siren #15: Bass Pro complex

Siren Project Progress 

Pictures from the delivery, assembly and installation of the new outdoor warning sirens!