Town of Haxtun receives grant to replace sirens; sirens to be down beginning July 8

The Town of Haxtun's emergency siren system is getting a much needed update. With grant funds from FEMA, Town crews will begin tearing down and preparing for the installation of new sirens next week.

Haxtun Police Administrative Clerk Vickie Freemyer submitted a grant for funds to replace the current 50+ year-old sirens system. Grant funds were awarded on Dec. 14, 2023 with a 90/10 split. The total cost of the project is expected to be $49,078; of that, FEMA will cover $44,170, 90 percent of the total, and the Town of Haxtun will add the additional 10 percent, or $4,907.

Beginning Monday, July 8, Town crews will begin removing the old emergency sirens and the following week, the new sirens will be installed. They are expected to cover a larger area for notification.

"During this two week process, there will be no fire whistle, tornado whistle nor will there be any whistles at 7 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. or 6 p.m.," Freemyer said.

She stressed the importance of residences paying close attention to weather apps and radios in the event of severe weather. Freemyer also said residents are encouraged to sign up to get Phillips County notifications via text message or phone call. To sign up for those notifications, contact the Haxtun Police Department at (970) 774-6289.

American Signal Corporation, from Milwaukee, Wisc., will be onsite in Haxtun the week of July 15 to install the new sirens. The new sirens are T-112 AC/CD Omni Direction sirens. As part of the grant, the Town crews will receive training on the new sirens to be able to perform routine maintenance on the equipment.

"With the growth of the town these sirens are not able to be heard on the edges of town. The new sirens will be placed in the same place as the old ones but on poles that will place them higher above the town to allow for a greater distance," Freemyer said.