​Petition to Modernize Emergency Alert Systems in Jefferson County
​To: The Jefferson County Board of Legislators and Local Fire Commissioners

Subject: Transitioning from Outdoor Fire Sirens to Digital Alerting Systems

​Introduction
​We, the undersigned residents of Jefferson County, formally petition for the decommissioning of outdoor fire whistles and sirens for non-emergency public notification. While we hold the highest respect for our volunteer firefighters and first responders, the continued use of high-decibel air sirens is a practice that no longer aligns with the available technology or the well-being of our community members.

​The Impact on Neurodivergent Residents
​The primary concern regarding these sirens is the physical and psychological harm they inflict on the neurodivergent and autistic community. For many individuals with sensory processing sensitivities:

​Physical Pain: High-frequency, high-decibel sirens can cause actual physical pain and "sensory flooding."
​Meltdowns and Anxiety: The unpredictable nature of the whistles can trigger severe anxiety, panic attacks, or sensory meltdowns, especially in children.
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Safety Risks: The disorientation caused by the sound can lead to "elopement" (running away) or a complete inability to function in the moment, creating a direct safety hazard for the very people the county seeks to protect.
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Modern Alternatives
​In the era of smartphones and advanced radio technology, the "noon whistle" and fire-call sirens are largely redundant. Most departments successfully utilize:

​Digital Paging Systems: Pagers provide instantaneous, silent, or vibrating alerts to responders.
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Mobile Apps: Applications like Active911 or IamResponding provide real-time coordinates and data directly to firefighters' phones.
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Opt-in Emergency Alerts: Systems that notify the public of actual danger (like weather) without the daily use of loud sirens for routine calls.
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Our Request
​We urge the County and local fire districts to:

​Conduct a Sensory Impact Study on the effects of these sirens on vulnerable populations.
​Implement a Timeline to phase out the use of outdoor sirens for routine volunteer call-outs.
​Adopt Digital-First Alerting to ensure first responders are notified efficiently without causing community-wide distress.