Timeline for repairs to storm sirens in Williamsburg uncertain

The siren that sits just above downtown Williamsburg on the cliff running along US25W.

Williamsburg’s storm sirens are currently out of commission due to the failure of a remote controller that is used to activate them and it might still be quite some time before they are once again operational.

The sirens are used to alert Williamsburg residents of impending severe weather events, such as strong storms or tornado warnings, but they also traditionally sound every Wednesday at noon as part of the regular testing of the system. However, the sirens have not been triggered in quite some time.

Stewart Walker, owner/operator of London Radio Service, the company that is contracted with the City of Williamsburg to perform regular maintenance and upkeep on the sirens, said that the controller at Williamsburg Fire Department that is used to operate the sirens has to be replaced entirely for the system to start being used again.

“The siren system is several years old and electronics don’t last forever,” said Walker. “It uses a special controller and the controller is dead. What happens is when you put the information in it and it dies, it loses its programming. And they don’t make that version anymore, so [the city’s] only option is to replace it.”

The controller works like a computer, Walker explained, in that it requires specific programming to make it work properly. Attempts were made to try and reprogram the controller, but it would not hold the programming and continued losing its information, making it unable to be repaired.

Walker said that the algorithm used in the controller that operates the sirens is also proprietary to the manufacturer, creating another hurdle as the city has to obtain the controller from a specific source.

These types of systems are typically made with proprietary technology to prevent the general public from being able to obtain, install and use them as they wish, which could cause confusion or panic in an area, according to Walker.

A new controller has been ordered, though ongoing supply chain issues, especially for electronics, has continued to delay its arrival. As of Monday afternoon, both Walker and Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said that it is still unknown when the controller will be received.

There is also a secondary concern regarding the city’s siren system, which consists of two sirens. One of the sirens sits just above downtown Williamsburg on the cliff running along US25W. The other sits on a property that used to be owned by Williamsburg Independent School behind where the old Brashear’s Market sits.

The second siren has potentially fallen into disrepair as it cannot be reached due to the condition of the road used to access it.

“The property has sold a couple of times and the road is terrible,” said Walker. “The last few times I’ve been to provide maintenance, somebody has had to come pull me out.”

Harrison stated Monday that the city is in the process of looking into having the second siren relocated somewhere that offers comparable coverage to that side of town and will be more accessible to maintenance crews.

Harrison also noted that the city is “moving as fast as they possibly can” to get the sirens working again.

Until that time, though, Williamsburg residents are being asked to sign up for the city’s REACH Alert system, which will be what is used in the interim to notify everyone in the city of any impending severe weather. The process for signing up for the city’s REACH Alerts is both free and simple.

You can begin receiving the city’s alerts by doing the following:

– Visit the REACH Alert website at www.reachalert.com.

– Click “Sign Up” at the top right of the home page.

– Enter “Williamsburg” in the box on the next page and select the city name when it appears.

– Enter details in the fields on the next page, including name, phone number or email.

– Select “Create & Join” at the bottom of the page.

You will know if you entered your information correctly, because you will receive a notification confirming you signed up for alerts. Multiple phone numbers or email addresses can be added during sign up to ensure everyone in your family gets notified.

It is recommended that residents elect to receive either text or phone call alerts since many individuals often do not get immediate notifications about emails.