<p>COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia has completed installation and testing of a new citywide public safety siren system, giving residents a more powerful layer of protection when severe weather or other emergencies strike. The system was successfully tested on Monday, May 11, 2026, according to the City of Columbia.</p><p>The project was funded through a $420,000 Community Development Block Grant through the CDBG Imminent Threat Program and completed in partnership with the South Central Tennessee Development District. The network includes 12 strategically placed sirens across Columbia — three electric sirens with both audible tones and voice broadcast capability, and nine mechanical sirens engineered for strong, far-reaching signals.</p><p>Mayor Chaz Molder said protecting residents remains the city's top priority. City Manager Tony Massey echoed that commitment, noting the system builds on Columbia's existing foundation of public safety and allows for more timely, targeted warnings. Sirens are activated only when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for specific areas of the city — meaning a tornado has been confirmed by sight or radar.</p><p>Residents looking to further strengthen their household preparedness can also sign up for Community Connect, a voluntary platform launched by Columbia Fire & Rescue that allows families to share information — special needs, pets, property access, emergency contacts — with first responders before an emergency ever occurs. Fire Chief Chris Cummins has said the platform helps bridge the information gap that emergency crews often face at dispatch. Sign up at <a href="https://www.communityconnect.io/info/tn-columbiafirerescue">communityconnect.io</a>.</p><p>Together, the new siren network and the Community Connect platform represent a serious, coordinated push to make Columbia one of the better-prepared small cities in Middle Tennessee. When the next storm rolls up the Duck River valley, your neighbors will be ready.</p>