Springfield, IL: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox system
{{infobox system
|title = Springfield Warning System
|title = Springfield Warning System
|image = [[File:T-128 Official.jpeg|thumbnail]]
|image = [[File:T128 springfield lindbergh.JPG|thumbnail]]
|caption = T-128 located at the Pillsbury Plant (Placeholder image).
|caption = T-128 located at Veterans and Lindbergh.
|type = Municipal
|type = Municipal
|location = Springfield, Illinois
|location = Springfield, Illinois
|installdate =  
|installdate = August - December 2006
|status = Active
|status = Active
|testdate = First Tuesday  of the month
|testdate = First Tuesday  of the month
|testtime = 10:00 AM.
|testtime = 10:00 AM
}}
}}


The '''Springfield Warning System''' is a system comprising of 50 [[T-128]]s. The system covers the city of Springfield and several outlying communities. The sirens are activated by the '''Springfield Fire Department''' in Springfield.
The '''Springfield Warning System''' is a system comprising of 57 [[American Signal Corporation|ASC]] [[ASC Tempest|T-128s]]. The system covers the city of Springfield and several other communities. The sirens are activated by the '''Springfield Fire Department''' in Springfield.


==History==
==History==


===First Sirens===
===First Sirens===
In late 1956, the City of Springfield purchased and installed 4 [[Thunderbolt]] 1000s throughout Springfield. The four locations included the Allis-Chalmers plant, DuBois Elementary School, the Pillsbury Plant and the Stratton Building. When tested on January 26, 1957, the sirens were barely audible in some parts of the city but it had the right effect.<ref name=sj-r-sirens>{{cite web|url=http://visuals.sj-r.com/picturing-the-past/2015/1/23/looking-for-a-sound |title=Sound off -- The Visual Journal |publisher=The State Journal-Register |date=23 January 2015 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Strattonbuildingthunderbolt.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Stratton Building Thunderbolt]]
In late 1956, the City of Springfield purchased and installed 4 [[Federal Signal Thunderbolt|Thunderbolt]] 1000s throughout Springfield. The four locations included the Allis-Chalmers plant, DuBois Elementary School, the Pillsbury Plant and the Stratton Building. When tested on January 26, 1957, the sirens were barely audible in some parts of the city but it had the right effect.<ref name=sj-r-sirens>{{cite web|url=http://visuals.sj-r.com/picturing-the-past/2015/1/23/looking-for-a-sound |title=Sound off -- The Visual Journal |publisher=The State Journal-Register |date=23 January 2015 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref>


===System Expansion===
===System Expansion===
As the city expanded, the need for sirens also grew. The city installed around a dozen or Thunderbolt 1000Ts as well as SD-10s. There was also a Model 2 near Knights Action Park on the West side of Springfield. The city also had several EOWS-612s and 2001s installed through out the city. Matthew Stanley from The Siren Archive has photos of a few of the sirens through out Springfield. These can be view on [http://www.jmarcoz.com/sirens/sirenarchive.htm#illinois The Siren Archive] under the Sangamon County category.
[[File:Springfieldoldsirenlocations.jpg|thumb|right|150px|2005 System Coverage Map]]
As the city expanded, the need for sirens also grew. The system was mainly comprised of [[Federal Signal SD-10|SD-10]]<nowiki/>s supplemented with Thunderbolts. The system also had a [[Federal Signal Model 2|Model 2T]], several [[Federal Signal Model 5|Model 3]]<nowiki/>s, a Model 7 as well as several [[W.S. Darley & Co.|Darley]] models of the previously mentioned sirens. In later years, the system was expanded with several [[Federal Signal EOWS|EOWS-612]]<nowiki/>s, 7 [[Federal Signal 2001|2001-SRN]]<nowiki/>s and older sirens purchased from auctions. Matthew Stanley from The Siren Archive has photos of a few of the sirens through out Springfield. These can be viewed on [http://www.jmarcoz.com/sirens/sirenarchive.htm#illinois The Siren Archive] under the Sangamon County category.


===Downfall of the System===
===Downfall of the System===
The system worked well until the twin EF2 tornadoes struck Springfield on March 12, 2006. The sirens worked fine for the first storm but it knocked out power to 75% of the city. When the second storm hit, only a handful of the newer sirens with battery backup sounded (the Thunderbolts and SD-10s lacked this feature).<ref name=sj-r-sirens-failures>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/documents/siren_failures.pdf |title=Storm silences sirens
Over the years, the city never bothered to implement maintenance plans. The effects of this poor planning was brought to life in 1989 when the city confessed that a Thunderbolt on Stevenson Drive was dead for over 3 years and that they had a replacement for 2.5 years but didn't have the funds to install it.<ref name=sj-r--silentsirens>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/news_articles/1989_26_May_Sirens_Need_Work.pdf |title=CITY'S SILENT SIRENS IN SHABBY SHAPE |publisher=The State Journal-Register |date=26 May 1989 |accessdate=8 November 2017}}</ref> During the March 1st, 2005 siren test, the city stationed persons at each of the sirens only to find out that 30 of the 54 sirens did not activate.<ref name=sj-r--halfsirensfail>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/news_articles/2005_5_March_Half_Of_Sirens_Fail.pdf |title=More than half of Springfield sirens fail to sound |publisher=The State Journal-Register |date=5 March 2005 |accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref> Within a month, the city was able to get all but 2 sirens functioning. Most of the failures were due to trees blocking the antennas on the sirens.
 
Besides the lack of regular maintenance, the system was also plagued with activation issues. The system was originally activated with phone lines but between 1994-1996, the system was converted to radio activation. This system had two faults. There were only two activation points and each point had two different encoders. One encoder activated 10 sirens and a second activated the other 44. Besides having the screwy activation sequence, the system operated on the same frequency as the county dispatch. When activating or deactivating the system, the tones would prevent the channel from being used for dispatch purposes.
 
On March 12, 2006, a pair of twin F2 tornadoes struck the city. The sirens worked fine for the first storm but it knocked out power to roughly 90% of the city. When a second storm hit later that night, only a handful of the newer sirens with battery backup or undamaged sirens that still had power sounded.<ref name=sj-r-sirens-failures>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/documents/siren_failures.pdf |title=Storm silences sirens
|publisher=The State Journal-Register |date=14 March 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2017}}</ref>
|publisher=The State Journal-Register |date=14 March 2006 |accessdate=16 April 2017}}</ref>


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===New Sirens===
===New Sirens===
Originally, the city went to Federal for offers on a new siren system. However, ASC had the better bid and the city made a $983,000 contract with Wireless USA for the sirens. In the end, 50 new T-128 sirens with battery backups were to be installed. By the end of November, the new siren system was installed and tested with the old system dismantled.<ref name=city-new-sirens>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/documents/new_sirens/ |title=NEW CITY TORNADO SIRENS ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL |publisher=The City of Springfield |date=28 November 2006 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref>
Originally, the city went to [[:Category:Federal Signal Corporation|Federal Signal]] for offers on a new siren system. In the end, the city signed a $983,000 contract with Wireless USA for a new system of 57 ASC T-128s with battery back up and computer control to be installed. By the end of November, the new siren system was installed and tested with the old system dismantled.<ref name=city-new-sirens>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/documents/new_sirens/ |title=NEW CITY TORNADO SIRENS ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL |publisher=The City of Springfield |date=28 November 2006 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref>


===Old Sirens===
===Old Sirens===
The story of the old siren system doesn't end at them getting removed. On March 12, 2007, then Mayor Davlin donated the usable SD-10s to surrounding communities. The communities that received the sirens included Chatham, Curran, Riverton, Spaulding and Virden. In June 2006, the City Council declared the old sirens to be surplus property. Many of the sirens where badly damaged during removal and storage and those sirens were destroyed.<ref name=city-donates-sirens>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/documents/donated_sirens/ |title=MAYOR DAVLIN DONATES TORNADO SIRENS TO NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES ON ANNIVERSARY OF TWIN TORNADOES |publisher=The City of Springfield |date=12 March 2007 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=road-trip>{{cite web|url=https://thesirenboard.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10985 |title=Road trip to Springfield IL, and some new toys |publisher=The Siren Board |date=6 July 2011 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref> In doing some research, Chatham and Curran currently don't have any SD-10s in their system. Chatham has a Sentry 10V and Curran does not have a siren.
The story of the old siren system doesn't end at them getting removed. On March 12, 2007, then Mayor Davlin donated the usable SD-10s to surrounding communities. The communities that received the sirens included Chatham, Curran, Riverton, Spaulding and Virden. <ref name=city-donates-sirens>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldsirens.tk/documents/donated_sirens/ |title=MAYOR DAVLIN DONATES TORNADO SIRENS TO NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES ON ANNIVERSARY OF TWIN TORNADOES |publisher=The City of Springfield |date=12 March 2007 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=road-trip>{{cite web|url=https://thesirenboard.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10985 |title=Road trip to Springfield IL, and some new toys |publisher=The Siren Board |date=6 July 2011 |accessdate=3 May 2017}}</ref> The only known SD-10 in Chatham was replaced in 2011 and the plans to install the siren in Curran died due to costs and no tornado safe area for the residents. Both Riverton and Virden received and installed a total of 3 SD-10 each. Riverton managed to procure the siren meant for Curran after they did nothing with it along with Spaulding's SD-10s which they also chose not to install. In 2015, Riverton disposed of all the SD-10s with Dawson acquiring one and installing it on the east end of town. According to meeting minutes for Spaulding around this time, Arenzville supposedly received 2 SD-10s but that has not been confirmed.
 
The 2001-SRNs were sold back to Wireless USA in exchange for a $1,000 discount on each new siren.
 
In June 2006, the City Council declared the remaining old sirens to be surplus property. In 2011, the remaining old sirens were auctioned off. For photos of the old sirens at the city lot, one can refer to the [https://thesirenboard.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10985 Siren Board post].
 
Over the years, posts on the forum have popped up about the old sirens and can be see on the [https://www.thesirenboard.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3002&start=60#p155114 Poorly Maintained Sirens thread] or [https://www.thesirenboard.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11750&sid=13950acc48431b5f6c5bbc24f18ccdb0 this post].


In 2011, the remaining old sirens were auctioned off. For photos of the old sirens at the city lot, one can refer to the [https://thesirenboard.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10985 Siren Board post]. The sirens were in rather bad shape from storage and the way they were stored. The Thunderbolts had the standpipes uncovered and the horns pointing up. The other sirens were badly dented and in terrible condition. Oddly enough, the motors on the old sirens were refurbished after they were removed.
[[File:PillsburyplantThunderbolt.JPG|thumbnail|Pillsbury Plant Thunderbolt]]


==Miscellaneous==
==Miscellaneous==
Line 40: Line 52:


===Fun Facts===
===Fun Facts===
* The original 4 air raid sirens were Thunderbolt 1000s and were single phase. 2 of the 4 still remain in Springfield.
* The original 4 air raid sirens were Thunderbolt 1000s and 2 of the 4 still remain in Springfield.
* The downtown Thunderbolt is a 1000T and it's chopper level was set to 3 or 180v. It can be heard clearly in a video from the night of March 12, 2006. It still stands alebit hornless.
* The downtown 1000T still stands albeit hornless.
* The remaining 1000Ts were a mix of single phase and three phase.
* The remaining Thunderbolts were a mix of single phase and three phase.
* I drove past the Stratton building Thunderbolt daily thinking that it was an old tornado siren and I was right!


===Media===
===Media===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo_gRCTScvs Downtown Thunderbolt 1000T in action]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo_gRCTScvs Municipal Center Thunderbolt 1000T (The Stratton Building Thunderbolt can also be heard around 0:22)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHK_U1CywZw SD-10 in action]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kk0dJpgSEU SD-10 Activation On March 12, 2006 (Also contains audio of the Stratton Building Thunderbolt)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7o7jK1do_o EOWS-612 Test]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7o7jK1do_o EOWS-612 Test]
   
   

Latest revision as of 20:46, 24 August 2024

Springfield Warning System

T-128 located at Veterans and Lindbergh.

Type Municipal
Location Springfield, Illinois
Date installed August - December 2006
Status Active
Testing dates First Tuesday of the month
Testing times 10:00 AM


The Springfield Warning System is a system comprising of 57 ASC T-128s. The system covers the city of Springfield and several other communities. The sirens are activated by the Springfield Fire Department in Springfield.

History

First Sirens

Stratton Building Thunderbolt

In late 1956, the City of Springfield purchased and installed 4 Thunderbolt 1000s throughout Springfield. The four locations included the Allis-Chalmers plant, DuBois Elementary School, the Pillsbury Plant and the Stratton Building. When tested on January 26, 1957, the sirens were barely audible in some parts of the city but it had the right effect.[1]

System Expansion

2005 System Coverage Map

As the city expanded, the need for sirens also grew. The system was mainly comprised of SD-10s supplemented with Thunderbolts. The system also had a Model 2T, several Model 3s, a Model 7 as well as several Darley models of the previously mentioned sirens. In later years, the system was expanded with several EOWS-612s, 7 2001-SRNs and older sirens purchased from auctions. Matthew Stanley from The Siren Archive has photos of a few of the sirens through out Springfield. These can be viewed on The Siren Archive under the Sangamon County category.

Downfall of the System

Over the years, the city never bothered to implement maintenance plans. The effects of this poor planning was brought to life in 1989 when the city confessed that a Thunderbolt on Stevenson Drive was dead for over 3 years and that they had a replacement for 2.5 years but didn't have the funds to install it.[2] During the March 1st, 2005 siren test, the city stationed persons at each of the sirens only to find out that 30 of the 54 sirens did not activate.[3] Within a month, the city was able to get all but 2 sirens functioning. Most of the failures were due to trees blocking the antennas on the sirens.

Besides the lack of regular maintenance, the system was also plagued with activation issues. The system was originally activated with phone lines but between 1994-1996, the system was converted to radio activation. This system had two faults. There were only two activation points and each point had two different encoders. One encoder activated 10 sirens and a second activated the other 44. Besides having the screwy activation sequence, the system operated on the same frequency as the county dispatch. When activating or deactivating the system, the tones would prevent the channel from being used for dispatch purposes.

On March 12, 2006, a pair of twin F2 tornadoes struck the city. The sirens worked fine for the first storm but it knocked out power to roughly 90% of the city. When a second storm hit later that night, only a handful of the newer sirens with battery backup or undamaged sirens that still had power sounded.[4]

After the Storm

After the tornadoes silenced the sirens, the city began planning to replace the sirens.

New Sirens

Originally, the city went to Federal Signal for offers on a new siren system. In the end, the city signed a $983,000 contract with Wireless USA for a new system of 57 ASC T-128s with battery back up and computer control to be installed. By the end of November, the new siren system was installed and tested with the old system dismantled.[5]

Old Sirens

The story of the old siren system doesn't end at them getting removed. On March 12, 2007, then Mayor Davlin donated the usable SD-10s to surrounding communities. The communities that received the sirens included Chatham, Curran, Riverton, Spaulding and Virden. [6][7] The only known SD-10 in Chatham was replaced in 2011 and the plans to install the siren in Curran died due to costs and no tornado safe area for the residents. Both Riverton and Virden received and installed a total of 3 SD-10 each. Riverton managed to procure the siren meant for Curran after they did nothing with it along with Spaulding's SD-10s which they also chose not to install. In 2015, Riverton disposed of all the SD-10s with Dawson acquiring one and installing it on the east end of town. According to meeting minutes for Spaulding around this time, Arenzville supposedly received 2 SD-10s but that has not been confirmed.

The 2001-SRNs were sold back to Wireless USA in exchange for a $1,000 discount on each new siren.

In June 2006, the City Council declared the remaining old sirens to be surplus property. In 2011, the remaining old sirens were auctioned off. For photos of the old sirens at the city lot, one can refer to the Siren Board post.

Over the years, posts on the forum have popped up about the old sirens and can be see on the Poorly Maintained Sirens thread or this post.

Pillsbury Plant Thunderbolt

Miscellaneous

Some odds and ends that don't fit anywhere above.

Fun Facts

  • The original 4 air raid sirens were Thunderbolt 1000s and 2 of the 4 still remain in Springfield.
  • The downtown 1000T still stands albeit hornless.
  • The remaining Thunderbolts were a mix of single phase and three phase.

Media

References

  1. "Sound off -- The Visual Journal". The State Journal-Register. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  2. "CITY'S SILENT SIRENS IN SHABBY SHAPE". The State Journal-Register. 26 May 1989. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  3. "More than half of Springfield sirens fail to sound". The State Journal-Register. 5 March 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  4. "Storm silences sirens". The State Journal-Register. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  5. "NEW CITY TORNADO SIRENS ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL". The City of Springfield. 28 November 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  6. "MAYOR DAVLIN DONATES TORNADO SIRENS TO NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES ON ANNIVERSARY OF TWIN TORNADOES". The City of Springfield. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  7. "Road trip to Springfield IL, and some new toys". The Siren Board. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2017.