CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Five to six tornado sirens could be installed in unincorporated areas throughout Marshall County.

New tornado sirens may be on the way for parts of Marshall County.

During the regular Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday morning, Marshall County Emergency Management Director Kim Elder reported that she had entered a notice of interest to possibly install tornado sirens in unincorporated areas of Marshall County. Upon receiving formal approval, the sirens can be funded through FEMA with hazard mitigation dollars.

Elder said she is in the process of putting together a committee to help determine the locations of the sirens, and Marshall County Supervisor Steve Stalasek volunteered to serve on it during the meeting. Elder said she would like the committee to start meeting by the end of October to begin getting quotes on costs.

The goal is to cover as much of the unincorporated areas of the county as possible with five to six sirens after a study determines where the best locations would be. Funds may also be needed for routine upkeep including testing and new batteries.

While there are five unincorporated towns in Marshall County, Elder told the board that the sirens don’t necessarily need to be located within a city. They could go in any unincorporated area, such as housing developments.

“It would certainly be wonderful if we could get that and continue our commitment to public safety, not only through the new radio tours but through this warning system,” Marshall County Supervisor Dave Thompson said.

In other business:

The supervisors discussed the implementation of a new alert system for their own business and updates as a part of a transition to a new county website. The old alert system has stopped working, Thompson said. The new system will feature subscriber-based notifications similar to the City of Marshalltown’s news alert system, and it should be up and running by the next regular meeting.