Teton County commissioners to seek FEMA funds for 4 new warning sirens

Teton County’s Board of County Commissioners is scheduled April 21 to decide whether to authorize Emergency Management to apply for FEMA mitigation grants (BRIC and HMGP) to add four outdoor warning sirens to the county’s existing network.

Emergency Manager Rich Ochs’ staff report says the new sirens are intended to improve public alerting in areas with insufficient coverage due to “population growth, topography, and aging infrastructure,” and would support all-hazards notifications ranging from wildfires to hazardous materials incidents and severe weather (Authorization to Apply for FEMA BRIC HMGP Grants for New Warning Sirens Staff Report).

The county estimates the four-siren project at about $320,000, including equipment, installation, electrical work, site preparation and integration. FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs would cover 75%, leaving an estimated $80,000 local match. The request is also tied to the county’s FY27 capital budget proposal, which the staff report notes is subject to a negotiated cost split with the Town of Jackson; if grants aren’t awarded, the sirens could still be considered in the FY27 capital plan (Authorization to Apply for FEMA BRIC HMGP Grants for New Warning Sirens Staff Report).

Wyoming Office of Homeland Security applications for both programs are due May 8, according to the staff report. The document does not list proposed siting areas; it describes the four locations as “priorities” to improve coverage in underserved or expanding areas.