Public warning sirens

Summary

The requester asked for the annual cost and rationale of the Isle of Man's public warning siren system, as well as studies on using social media as a cost-saving alternative. The Department of Home Affairs disclosed the maintenance costs, the number of sirens, the rationale regarding mobile network failures, and confirmed that no specific studies on social media alternatives were provided, though work with GTS is ongoing.

Key Facts

• There are 31 public warning sirens on the Island, introduced in 2005.
• The annual maintenance cost for the siren system is £10,000.
• Six of the sirens are also used by the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service to alert staff.
• Mobile phone networks can reach capacity during large-scale emergencies, necessitating sirens as a secondary warning method.
• The cost to 'mothball' the sirens was estimated at £6,000 per annum in 2013.

Data Disclosed

• 2005
• 31
• £10,000
• 6
• 2015
• 4.15am
• 2013
• £6,000
• IM172887I
• January 9th 2017
• January 7th 2017

Original Request

Can you please tell me the annual cost of the island warning siren system, and the rationale behind it. Also can you include any studies to use social media and other media outlets as an alternative to save cost?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

REFERENCE NUMBER: IM172887I January 9th 2017 REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request dated January 7th 2017 Your request You asked;
Can you please tell me the annual cost of the island warning siren system, and the rationale behind it. Also can you include any studies to use social media and other media outlets as an alternative to save cost? Response to your request
The answer to your question is:

Public Warning Sirens

The Public Warning Sirens were introduced on the Island in 2005, as part of the response to ‘Warning the Public’ in the event of an emergency.

There are 31 sirens on the Island, and they cost £10,000 to maintain per annum. 6 of the sirens are also used by Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, as part of their systems to alert staff.

It is fully accepted that social media has changed since 2005, and many other forms of keeping the public informed have developed, and are being used, such as Facebook and Twitter. Work is being carried out at the moment with GTS to develop further means of warning the public

It is also known that in the event of large scale emergency, the mobile phone network can quickly reach capacity. For example, following a serious incident during the TT races on Bray Hill some time ago, or at other times of extremely high usage, the mobile network has or can fail.

It is accepted that the use of the public warning sirens will be very rare. The last time I am aware that they were considered for use was in 2015 following serious flooding in the Laxey area at 4.15am in the morning, when most people would be in bed. If there was a large scale fire or gas release at South Quay, or a fire at the fuel storage facilities in Peel, depending on circumstances including weather conditions the sirens would be used.

The sirens would never be used in isolation to warn the public, but used as a secondary means.

In 2013 enquires were made as to the cost of ‘mothballing’ the sirens. The cost was about £6,000 pa.

I enclose a copy of the relevant section of The Isle of Man Government Emergency Planning Manual.

This manual is available in its entirety at;

https://www.gov.im/media/1348816/emergency-planning-manual-version-10.pdf

Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to Sally-Ann Cain (Sally-Ann.Cain@gov.im). An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
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Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom-of- information-request/
Yours sincerely