The All-Hazard NOAA Weather Radios will alert schools of not only weather-related disasters, but also threats such as terrorist attacks, child abductions, hazardous material leaks and toxic spills. The radios will alert school administrators of a variety of hazards by sounding a special tone. The radios will then give a detailed broadcast about the disaster.
One of the benefits is that when activated, a signal is broadcast that automatically turns on the radio, alerting school officials to a potentially hazardous situation.
"School administrators will now be better able to keep track of potentially dangerous situations and take appropriate measures to keep students and staff safe," Rell said. "We can never be too prepared. Any device that helps Connecticut schools be better prepared will be a great benefit."
Information on programming tone alert weather radios is available at the NOAA Weather Radio website. The site features a sidebar with links to listings by state, coverage maps, coding information and information about different types of equipment.
The benefit of warning radios was illustrated by events that occurred at Charles F. Johnson Elementary School in Endicott, N.Y. The school received a warning from their weather radio, allowing the principal to alert the teachers and make sure that all of the students were inside and safely in the school's interior hallway. Within minutes of the warning, 70 mph winds ripped the roof off of the school, but no one was hurt. Those inside did not even see the damage happen.
The radios operate 24 hours a day, receiving forecasts, warnings, and other information from the Weather Service's 123 forecast offices. They are typically smaller than clock radios, have a battery backup for power, and can be programmed to respond only to a warning for a specific area or region. Radios range from about $20 to $80 at most retailers.
Connecticut private schools will receive radios next year as part of Phase II of the distribution.
