Siren fatigue? Elgin changes weather alert protocol after fielding complaints during storms

Elgin has modified the way it alerts residents to the most severe thunderstorms after fielding complaints recently about sirens sounding too often.

When the city added to its outdoor warning system in 2024, software was upgraded to allow sirens to be automatically sounded replacing the need for human activation.

The transition takes potential delays or human error out of the picture, say officials there and elsewhere throughout the suburbs where automated systems have been adopted.

But for the first time in three seasons, Elgin temporarily has switched to a hybrid approach.

Tornado warnings from the National Weather Service still trigger sirens automatically. However, for now, manual activation is used for “considerable” and “destructive” thunderstorms with high winds and large hail, as defined by the NWS.

Instead of activating sirens multiple times for each NWS warning box, the city is limiting it to single alert as storms move across its 38 square miles.

“We’re looking at this manual activation as a temporary situation,” Fire Chief Robb Cagann said. “I don’t think we need to set the alarms off three times when a storm moves across the city.”

The most severe thunderstorms, he added, can have greater impact than an EF 0 tornado, which is why sirens are activated in those conditions.

Complaints about siren use led to this temporary return to manual operation but officials want to determine the best way to return to full automation.

A public education campaign about the purpose and use of sirens also is planned. The message remains clear: When you hear the sirens, go indoors, seek shelter, and get more information.

Previously, someone had to activate sirens manually at fire stations, police stations or dispatch centers although now it also can be done by phone.

Automated systems remove the need for someone to monitor radar and decide when to sound the sirens. Users appreciate this reliability.

Communities from Waukegan to Naperville and points in between now have sirens integrated with the NWS that automatically sound during a tornado warning, though some, like Elgin, include other parameters.

In Waukegan, for example, 14 sirens automatically trigger whenever a rotation is identified within 30 miles of the city.

“This system has proven to be highly reliable, functioning exactly as intended during our two most recent major storms where all sirens were successfully activated with no issues,” said David Motley, the city’s director of public relations.

Nineteen sirens in Naperville also activate automatically for a tornado warning when the NWS warning box touches even a small part of the “geofence” that extends slightly beyond the city limits. As in other jurisdictions, sirens also can be activated manually if a tornado is seen, even without an NWS warning.

The Northwest Central Dispatch System, serving 547,000 people in 13 communities, is considering automation. However, this season they are sticking with manual activation while evaluating automation and discussing policies.

“We’re definitely interested in that integration” with NWS and Fulton Siren Services, said John Ferraro, executive director.

Earlier this year, fire departments in Mundelein, Libertyville, and Vernon Hills committed to automation. Sirens will sound only in the affected area for tornado warnings or severe weather with winds more than 70 mph.

“There was overwhelming support for the new system,” said Libertyville Fire Chief Mike Pakosta.

He acknowledged some were concerned recently after hearing sirens activate several times in a short period and were unsure if it was for tornadoes or something else.

Many have assumed sirens are only for tornadoes, but Pakosta noted they also alert the public to other outdoor emergencies.

“We will continue to push out educational information about the new system,” he added. “Ultimately, we want people to be aware of a potential threat that warrants people who are outside to seek shelter indoors.”

Since its adoption, Elgin’s system had no issues until early April. And it wasn’t a technical problem but in a sense one of too much information.

Sirens sounded each time an NWS warning box touched a portion of Elgin’s 38-square mile area as storms progressed. Questions, comments and complaints followed.

“This is now our third storm season that we’ve had this system and this is first time that we’re starting to hear complaints about its use,” Cagann reported to the city council earlier this month. “This has been the most severe and most impactful storm season we've had in three years and we’re just in the beginning phases of it.”

For now, sirens will be manually activated for the top two tiers of predicted severe thunderstorms — those with winds of 70 mph or more with 1¾-inch hail or those with winds of 80 mph or more with 2¾-inch hail.