Clear Creek to restore siren tower for emergency warning system
The Clear Creek Firefighter’s Association has plans to put the siren at the fire station to good use. It will alert residents of the need for an emergency evacuation.
Many mountain communities see the value for such an early warning system following the Camp Fire in Paradise last fall when residents had little time to escape the flames.
To complete the project, the Clear Creek Firefighter’s Association is raising funds to reconstruct the wooden structure for the siren, address any electrical issues for the operation of the siren and test it to determine if repairs are needed. A bid from a licensed contractor to rebuild the tower was $8,500, but does not account for any unknown costs. Therefore members of the Firefighter’s Association have set a fundraising goal of $12,000. To date, $1,422.00 has been raised for the project.
The biggest fundraising effort will take place this summer during the Clear Creek Craft Fair July 13-14. That weekend the Clear Creek Firefighter’s Association will operate the food booth selling a variety of items, such as hamburgers and hot dogs. They are looking for volunteers to help with the booth. Both Saturday and Sunday morning members of the association will serve a pancake breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. Tickets for the breakfast will be available to purchase in advance. Also tickets for a 50/50 drawing will be on sale.
Members of the Clear Creek Firefighter’s Association are researching grants and additional fundraising ideas. They hope to receive donations as well. Checks for the project can be mailed to the Clear Creek Community Services District at P.O. Box 833, Westwood, CA 96137.
Once the siren is installed there will be a public education campaign on the warning system after all the details have been worked out, said Cathy Hunter, president of the Clear Creek Firefighter’s Association. The siren might be triggered remotely by emergency services agencies.
For more information or to get involved with the association and work on the project, attend the meeting of the Clear Creek Firefighter’s Association scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at the fire station located on State Route 147 at Clear Creek Park. Everyone is welcome.
