COCONINO COUNTY — Recently, Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff completed a successful test of the flash flooding siren system along Spruce Wash. This test ensured that critical system enhancements functioned properly prior to the 2023 monsoon season.
In 2022, the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County Emergency Management, and Coconino County Flood Control District partnered through funding provided by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to install a siren alerting system. These sirens were installed downstream of the Museum Fire burn scar in the Grandview Homes and Sunnyside neighborhoods. This system provides additional notice of imminent danger to residents during a flooding event and works in conjunction with the County’s Emergency Notification System (ENS). Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) utilizes the ENS to send out official real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving actions.
In the Spring of 2023, District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez began working with residents to include a Navajo translation to the existing English and Spanish messaging. Through partnerships with the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County Emergency Management coordinated the translation of messaging into Navajo. Members of the Board of Supervisors provided funding necessary to complete the installation of enhanced messaging.
“Thank you to all the staff members and the Board of Supervisors that made this happen,” said Supervisor Vasquez. “Based on community feedback, we felt that it was important that the emergency siren system include Navajo as part of it. We are pleased to have accomplished this task to communicate emergency messages to all residents.”
During a flood response, CCEM coordinates with the City and Flood Control District to push out emergency notifications and activate the siren system as needed. When rainfall reaches certain thresholds, the system will begin the alarm and repeat a voice message two times in English, Spanish, and Navajo.
“Our top priority is the safety of all our residents throughout the County. The siren system’s integration into our existing emergency notification system provides an increased level of alerting when flash flooding is imminent. The inclusion of Navajo messaging in the siren messaging further enhances our capability to effectively communicate with the whole community during severe weather.” – Deputy Director of Coconino County Emergency Management, Tim Carter.
For additional information on the siren system, please email Coconino County Emergency Management at emergencymanagement@coconino.az.gov