Thousands of new emergency alert radios are expected to be distributed in Madison County over the next few months.
The new radios would be programmed to sound off in the event of a release of agent at the Blue Grass Army Depot. It also is able to sound an alert during weather events. For many people in Madison County, it will amount to switching out an older radio for a new one. Madison County Emergency Management Director Dustin Heiser said citizens shouldn’t notice a change.
“What’s different is the infrastructure that sets those in-home radios off. So, that’s where the difference is. So, our users won’t really notice that difference,” said Heiser.
Heiser said every structure in Madison County is eligible to receive a new emergency alert radio. The EM director noted some 40,000 radios will hopefully be distributed by the end of the year. Heiser added it will be a time of transition from the old system to the new system.
“And those communications will be put out both in flyers and mail or postcards as well as on our social media sites and our website and all the other locations that we put that information out,” said Heiser.
Completion of demilitarization of nerve munitions at the depot plant is scheduled for the end of 2023.
