Outdoor Warning Siren Project
ZAYANTE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Outdoor Warning Siren Project
The Zayante Fire Protection District utilization of Outdoor Warning Sirens dates back to the 1940’s. Today, the refurbished Siren at Fire Station 1 is used to warn residents, visitors, and those passing through the fire district of an imminent need to evacuate.
The Outdoor Warning Siren concept is used throughout the United States to warn people outside of homes of impending danger from Tornado, Tsunami, Wildfire and Hazardous Materials releases.
In September 2023, Zayante Fire launched a campaign to raise funds to replace the failed Lompico Siren that dated back to 1942. Zayante Firefighters hosted a benefit concert at Felton Music Hall, conducted two open house events and raised over $8,000 from the community to aid in the project.
The Zayante Fire District has sought funding through grants and in 2023 was awarded a Fiscal Year 2024 State Homeland Security Grant being awarded $49,839 dollars towards the $64,452.66 package price for a siren. The project was approved locally in collaboration with representatives from Law, Fire, and Public Health. The California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA have both approved the project and the Grant Award has been accepted by the Board of Supervisors on August 19, 2025 who designated the County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience (OR3) as the grant administrator for the SHSG grant.
Project UPDATE:
The Zayante Fire Protection District has put out to competitive bid an Outdoor Warning Siren Project for multiple sirens. The Board of Directors has reviewed the bids and selected ATI Systems as the successful bidder for (3) outdoor sirens. Primary funding will come from one time monies earned by the District providing Assistance by Hire equipment to Cal Fire during the 2024 and 2025 fire season’s. The total package price is expected to be $193,358 dollars approximately. A preconstruction conference has been conducted. A site walk-through will occur in mid-January with installation following weather-dependent and delivery of equipment.
Locating a Siren is a big decision. The District has recognized the sound altering impact of weather, temperature, humidity, wind, vegetation and topography. All factors affect the propagation of sound and siting a siren requires established access to property and electrical utilities. The Fire District has an agreement with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District to co-locate a siren within existing property improvements at the Lewis Tank Site on West Drive. In addition, a second siren will be located at Lompico Park hosted by the Lompico Community Center. A third siren will be located at Fire Station 3 on Upper Zayante Rd.
