It’s storm and severe weather season in the Bootheel, and Dexter has a critical siren near the schools not working and needing to be replaced, and two others in need of upgrade.  So the Dexter Board of Aldermen unanimously agreed Monday night to spend the funds necessary needed to replaced a trio of emergency sirens.

Fire Chief Don Seymore reported at Monday’s meeting of the Board that with the one emergency siren near T.S. Middle School not working, he was working on information to replace the siren and upgrade to current technology.  Seymore and the city’s Public Safety Committee met prior to the Board meeting, and the sirens were on the agenda.

“I am seeking information and pricing on these,” Seymore told aldermen. “We are within an $80,000 range to replace three sirens in town.”

Seymore and City Administrator Mark Stidham reported the Public Safety Committee recommended "swift action" on the siren replacement/upgrade.

“We felt the urgency that we don’t need to wait with current conditions and the weather forecasts we have as of late. That was the recommendation at our prior meeting (Public Safety Committee),” Stidham said.

The aldermen jumped quickly and without hesitation on the matter.

“The City would have a hard time explaining why we don’t buy those immediately,” said Ward III Alderman Kirby Taylor.  “I think we should buy those pronto – immediately.”

Ward II Alderman Tim Aslin echoed Taylor’s sentiments, quickly giving a second to Taylor's motion to purchase the equipment.

Mayor Joe Weber also chimed in, reporting the Public Safety Committee felt the replacement/upgrade was a “vital concern”.

The motion to proceed with the project was unanimously approved by the board. All aldermen were present at Monday night's meeting.

Seymore assured the board he would continue with getting bids for the new sirens and that the project would, indeed, by a top priority for the new fire chief.

Stidham assured the board – and citizens – that plans are in place in the event of severe weather. He reported Seymore has been working with Dr. Roger Alsup, assistant superintendent with the Dexter Public Schools, with notification of the district in the event of an emergency. A  “storm watcher” has also been assigned to the school in case of severe weather.

"I want to assure the public that the schools will be taken care of," Seymore said. The chief said when severe weather conditions develop in the area, a member of the Fire Department will personally visit the school to be sure they are fully aware of conditions.

“The call-out system is working, so we will call every house in the city that we have phone numbers for,” Stidham.

He stressed that persons with cell-only phone service or who are not currently in the call-out system may contact the Dexter Fire Department at 573-624-3425 or City Administration at 573-624-5959 to be placed in the program.

Local residents who do receive a call in the citywide call-out system do not need to return missed calls, Seymore said. The call is for information purposes and does not necessitate a call-back for missed calls.