MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - It's a hot topic. How can authorities alert more people faster about an approaching threat? ULM took the traditional route and installed an emergency siren and Ouachita parish was also looking at a siren system. However, that plan failed when the parish found out the rolling hills and thick trees would greatly affect the efficiency.
Ouachita Parish Department of Homeland Security Director, Tracy Hilburn said, "it is meant for outdoors alone. It's not going to wake you up in your house and the majority of the parish is more rural and no where is it flat, it's a lot flatter on the eastern side of the river rather than the west side but we're no where near as flat as Kansas or Oklahoma an places like that."
The chosen system to replace the sirens proposal is called "Alert FM." It will give the parish the ability to quickly post alerts to Facebook, twitter, and the social site nixel. They can also send push notifications to your smart phone through the "Alert FM" app. If you don't have access to the internet, you'll have an option to buy a receiver from a local vendor.
"They're currently available at T. P. Outdoors in West Monroe and Monroe. They're the first vendors that got them last week." Said Hilburn.
Director Hilburn explained that this is not limited to Ouachita Parish. "It's not just Ouachita Parish friendly...it's Louisiana friendly. I was actually on the committee that was the purchasing committee for the state that purchased this item. We had two or three that put in proposals with us but this is by far the best item."
As of now, all parishes in Louisiana are covered except for West and East Carroll but "Alert FM" says it hopes to get those parishes online soon.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:31 AM EDT2013-05-22 09:31:57 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Thousands of customers across north Louisiana and southern Arkansas are without power Tuesday evening.An Entergy spokesman tells KNOE 8 News that heavy winds are making for
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Thousands of customers across north Louisiana and southern Arkansas are without power Tuesday evening.
Friday, May 17 2013 12:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:09:18 GMT
FARMERVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The family of a Farmerville teen who died at football practice last week says it is overwhelmed by the community's gratitude.
FARMERVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The family of a Farmerville teen who died at football practice last week says it is overwhelmed by the community's gratitude.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 7:51 PM EDT2013-05-07 23:51:36 GMT
BASTROP, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Walking the stage to get your diploma signals the end of a journey. Our Nolan Crane shows us one high school senior whose walking is just the beginning.
BASTROP, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Walking the stage to get your diploma signals the end of a journey. Our Nolan Crane shows us one high school senior whose walking is just the beginning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:06:05 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - School closures, cuts to services, and employee reductions will be actions facing new Monroe superintendent-elect Brent Vidrine.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - School closures, cuts to services, and employee reductions will be actions facing new Monroe superintendent-elect Brent Vidrine.
Never a stranger to the big stage, David Beckham went out in a burst of fireworks and adulation Saturday in his final home game for Paris Saint-Germain before retirement.
Never a stranger to the big stage, David Beckham was finally overwhelmed and reduced to tears as he went out in a burst of fireworks and cheers Saturday in his final home game for Paris Saint-Germain before retirement.
