The Mountain Community Preservation Coalition and the Sylvester Dustbusters have been working with the Boone County Commission and the Office of Emergency Services on getting a first responders warning system, which would alert communities in case of emergency situations at sludge dams in Boone County.

The county has 14 sludge dams now, and no first responders’ system to warn citizens, and no working evacuation plans. A huge thank you to all of the OVEC volunteers who have helped with this. Special thanks to the folks in Delbarton, Mingo County, for starting a good thing!

I am happy to share some terrific news for the citizens of Boone County. The Boone County Commission and the county’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) are preparing to install a warning system for every home here.

This will be a first alert type system. OES and the commissioners are deciding which system would be most effective for our area, considering obstacles such as cost and topography. There is the WARN System which operates through phone service, putting out mass calls to homes. This seems to be less effective for this area, because it depends on phones and power lines being operational.

Then, there is the Code Red system, which operates by satellite. It’s much better at recording who was contacted, who was left a message and who needs to be called back. OES will be using the 911 addressing system to distribute the in-home monitors.

In the case of an emergency, a satellite signal activates the monitor, sending a message controlled by the OES. The monitor receives the signal much like a radio does. In case of loss of power, the system would be backed up by generators throughout Boone County. The in-home monitors would have battery backup.

The commissioners and OES have agreed that one of the two systems will be installed. We would like to thank the County Commission and OES for recognizing and addressing the need for this lifesaving technology. Let’s hope we never have to utilize it!

The Mountain Community Preservation Coalition and the Sylvester Dustbusters will have a follow-up meeting with county officials in June, 2007. Please feel free to attend this meeting; we would very much like to have your input and suggestions. Call (304) 245-8481 for date and time of the meeting, or for more information.