Beginning in January 2012, Ameren Missouri will begin testing the emergency warning sirens at Bagnell Dam at 12 noon on the first Wednesday of each month, instead of the first Monday. Alan Sullivan, emergency action plan coordinator for Ameren Missouri’s Osage Renewable Energy Center, says the change is being made to avoid testing on Monday holidays, and also to coincide with the testing of storm warning sirens in Osage Beach.
“On Monday holidays, the lake attracts many visitors who may not be familiar with our siren test schedule, so we’re moving the tests to Wednesday to avoid confusion,” Sullivan says. “This will also coincide with the regular testing time for the storm warning sirens in Osage Beach, although the sirens at Bagnell Dam have a uniquely different sound.”
Sullivan says Ameren Missouri designed the sirens at Bagnell Dam to sound differently from traditional storm sirens to avoid confusion with storm warnings. The sirens at the dam also include a voice announcement describing the sirens’ purpose. During tests, the voice message will say, “This is a test of the Bagnell Dam Emergency Warning System.” In a real emergency, the announcement would give the nature of the emergency.
Ameren Missouri installed the warning sirens in June, 2009, under the direction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for hydro facilities to provide early warning of dam failure to nearby residents and visitors. Other than the scheduled tests, the sirens for Bagnell Dam will not be sounded unless an actual emergency is in progress.
“We do not have any safety concerns for the structural integrity of the dam, but as part of our Emergency Action Plan, if a dam failure did occur we want to provide the fastest notification possible,” Sullivan adds.
Bagnell Dam has three warning sirens, one near the dam, one near the U.S. Highway 54 Bridge, and the third at Camp Bagnell. The first test under the new schedule will be at 12 noon, Wednesday, Jan. 4.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 126,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.
Contacts: Media Hotline, 1.314.554.2182, MissouriCommunications@ameren.com