LANSING, Mich. – Georgetown Township and Robinson Township in Ottawa County will both benefit from the installation of weather warning sirens made possible by Hazard Mitigation Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Ottawa County has experienced 17 tornadoes since 1956, which resulted in 14 deaths and over 200 injuries.

“The installation of early warning systems such as these warning sirens is a wise and effective use of hazard mitigation funds because it can save lives and prevent injuries during future severe weather incidents,” said Capt. Kriste Etue, commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD). 

Georgetown Township will install four sirens using a $58,500 grant, while Robinson Township will install two sirens made possible by a $27,900 grant.  Each township will provide the required 25 percent match to meet the total project cost of $78,000 for Georgetown Township and $37,200 for Robinson Township.

The sirens will be mounted on 50-foot poles with electrical hookup, battery backup and remote activation.  Currently, Georgetown Township has 10 warning sirens that provide coverage to 85 percent of the township’s population; the addition of these four sirens will increase coverage to 90 percent.   In Robinson Township the two new sirens will provide early warning coverage to 3,300 residents.

In Georgetown Township the sirens will be installed at 40th Avenue between Fillmore and Bauer roads; 28th Street between Baldwin and Bauer roads; 28th Avenue between Rosewood and Baldwin Street; and 8th Avenue at Barry Street.  In Robinson Township, the sirens will be installed on 128th Avenue near Green Street and on Johnson Street near Osner Drive.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is administered by the EMHSD.  In cooperation with the Michigan Hazard Mitigation Coordinating Council, early warning systems have been identified as a top priority under the HMGP. 
HMGP Grants    

Since the mid-1990s, the state has consistently allocated 5 percent of available HMGP funds (the maximum allowable by FEMA) to the purchase and installation of early warning systems.  To date, HMGP funds have purchased and installed 80 outdoor warning sirens, more than 1,000 NOAA weather alert monitors for public buildings and four NOAA weather radio transmitters.