The purchase and installation of new sirens, for tsunami and emergency warning within the City of Homer city limits, was approved through the consent agenda by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.
The Borough received award notification in the amount of $61,000 for funds that will be allocated for costs to purchase and install new sirens within the City of Homer city limits. In 2020, the Borough and the City of Homer entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) executing the responsibilities of both parties for the Borough’s existing siren warning system (“system”).
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (“AKDHSEM”) oversees this program to support local jurisdictions’ tsunami preparedness programs. Additional sirens added within the City’s jurisdiction are Borough assets; therefore, the Borough and the City will work within the executed MOA and in compliance with the federal grant regulations to complete the award objectives.
Assembly Member Brent Hibbert explained the ordinance.
“Accepting and appropriating $61,000 from Alaska Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, we’re going to put up some new sirens in Homer, try to keep everybody from getting wet. The Borough will own those sirens.”
The City of Homer will be responsible for any additional costs above the $61,000 grant award. Brenda Ahlberg, KPB Emergency Manager will oversee grant compliance; the grant performance period is 09/01/22 through 08/31/2023.