Springfield, IL, Alderman Calls for Fire Chief's Resignation after Tornado Sirens Remain Silent
A Springfield alderman called for the fire chief to resign after warning sirens were not activated during severe storms last week.
Fire Chief Nick Zummo defended the decision saying none of the four criteria was met last Wednesday night.
The National Weather Service confirmed later than an EF-1 tornado touched down, WAND reported.
"You're lucky nobody is dead. I said it the other night, and I'll say it again — you need to be put in a new position, chief. And I'll continue to say that. You let us down," said Alderman Larry Rockford.
Zummo told the council he is exploring other alerting systems said he is now looking at other possible alert systems so one official is not responsible for activating the sirens.
"As part of the after-action review process, the Springfield Fire Department is also looking into an automated siren activated system. While a specific system has not been selected, the concept would allow sirens to activate automatically when predetermined criteria are met," Zummo said.
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Susan Nicol
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Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.